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Abstract:

A wireless communication system including a wireless communicator,
including a housing, wireless communication functionality, a first
subscriber identifier module for accessing a wireless network, native
user interface functionality, and pouching responsive electrical
interconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of the
housing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for causing the
wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating with
parenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhanced
function device at least partially instead of with the native user
interface functionality, and an enhanced function device, including a
pouch, a second subscriber identifier module for accessing the wireless
network, and parenting user interface functionality, wherein the wireless
communicator is able to access the wireless network using either the
first subscriber identifier module or the second subscriber identifier
module, when the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced
function device.

Claims:

1.-92. (canceled)

93. A wireless communication system comprising: a wireless communicator,
comprising: a housing; wireless communication functionality located
within said housing; a first subscriber identifier module for accessing a
wireless network; native user interface functionality cooperating with
said wireless communication functionality; and pouching responsive
electrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouching
orientation of said housing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for
causing said wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating
with parenting user interface functionality forming part of said enhanced
function device at least partially instead of with said native user
interface functionality; and an enhanced function device, comprising: a
pouch; a second subscriber identifier module for accessing the wireless
network; and parenting user interface functionality, wherein said
wireless communicator is operable to access the wireless network using
either said first subscriber identifier module or said second subscriber
identifier module, when said wireless communicator is pouched with said
enhanced function device.

94. The wireless communication system of claim 93 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to receiving an incoming
communication for a first subscriber using said first subscriber
identifier module, and to receive an incoming communication for a second
subscriber using said second subscriber identifier module, when said
wireless communicator is pouched with said enhanced function device.

95. The wireless communication system of claim 93 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to select either said first
subscriber identifier module or said second subscriber identifier module
for sending an outgoing communication, when said wireless communicator is
pouched with said enhanced function device.

96. The wireless communication system of claim 93 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to switch from said first
subscriber identifier module to said second subscriber identifier module,
when said wireless communicator is pouched with said enhanced function
device.

97. The wireless communication system of claim 96 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to use said first subscriber
identifier module for specific types of communication, and to use said
second subscriber identifier module for other types of communication.

98. The wireless communication system of claim 97 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to use said second subscriber
identifier module for making international calls.

99. The wireless communication system of claim 97 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to use said second subscriber
identifier module for sending SMS messages.

100. The wireless communication system of claim 97 wherein said wireless
communication functionality is operable to use said second subscriber
identifier module for data services.

101. The wireless communication system of claim 96 wherein said wireless
communication functionality prompts a user to select between said first
subscriber identifier module and said second subscriber identifier
module, when the user is communicating wirelessly.

102. The wireless communication system of claim 96 wherein, if said
wireless communicator is connected to the wireless network using said
first subscriber identifier module, prior to being pouched with said
enhanced function device, and subsequently said wireless communicator is
pouched with said enhanced function device, then said wireless
communication functionality disconnects said wireless communicator from
the wireless network and reconnects said wireless communication to the
wireless network using said second subscriber identifier module.

103. The wireless communication system of claim 93 wherein said second
subscriber identifier module comprises a prepaid module which allows only
a limited amount of communication.

104. The wireless communication system of claim 93 wherein said first
subscriber identifier module and said second subscriber identifier module
are associated within different billing programs of an operator of the
wireless network.

105. The wireless communication system of claim 93 wherein said first
subscriber identifier module and said second subscriber identifier module
are associated within different access rights to resources in the
wireless network.

106. A method for wireless communication comprising: in response to
orienting a wireless communicator having a first subscriber identifier
module and having a native user interface, in a pouch of an enhanced
function device having a second subscriber identifier module and having a
parent user interface: adapting the wireless communicator to conform with
the parent user interface at least partially instead of with the native
user interface; and switching from the first subscriber identifier module
to the second subscribed identifier module for accessing a wireless
network.

107. The method of claim 106 wherein said switching comprises switching
in response to the wireless communicator making an international call.

108. The method of claim 106 wherein said switching comprises switching
in response to sending an SMS message.

109. The method of claim 106 wherein said switching comprises switching
in response to using data services.

110. The method of claim 106 further comprising prompting a user to
select between the first subscriber identifier module and the second
subscriber identifier module, and wherein said switching comprises
switching in response to the user selecting the second subscriber
identifier module.

111. The method of claim 106 wherein said switching comprises:
disconnecting the wireless communicator from the wireless network; and
reconnecting the wireless communicator to the wireless network using the
second subscriber identifier module.

Description:

PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of the following U.S. patent
applications, commonly owned by assignee:

[0003] Aspects of the present invention relate to a modular wireless
communicator that may be coupled with an enhanced function device in a
manner referred to herein as pouching. Pouching is defined herein to mean
inserting the wireless communicator device inside of the enhanced
function device so that the wireless communicator is at least partially
obscured by the enhanced function device, and such that the enhanced
function device mechanically supports the wireless communicator.

[0004] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention a wireless communicator including a housing, wireless
communication functionality located within the housing, native user
interface functionality cooperating with the wireless communication
functionality and including user interface surfaces located on at least
one outer facing surface of the housing, and pouching responsive
electrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouching
orientation of the housing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for
causing the wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating
with parenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhanced
function device at least partially instead of with the native user
interface functionality.

[0005] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication functionality includes a phone call
dialing functionality.

[0006] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communication functionality includes a network access
functionality.

[0007] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality automatically causes the wireless communication
functionality to adapt to cooperating with the parenting user interface
functionality when the housing is oriented in the pouch of the enhanced
function device.

[0008] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality causes
the wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating with the
parenting user interface functionality, when manually prompted to do so
and when the housing is oriented in the pouch of the enhanced function
device.

[0009] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality includes alien rejection functionality operative to prevent
cooperation of the wireless communication functionality with user
interface functionality of an alien enhanced function device
notwithstanding existence of pouching orientation of the housing in a
pouch of the alien enhanced function device.

[0010] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the adaptation to interoperation includes transmission from the enhanced
function device to the wireless communicator of information relating to
parenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhanced
function device, and configuration of the wireless communication
functionality to be controlled by the parenting user interface
functionality forming part of the enhanced function device at least
partially instead of by the native user interface functionality.

[0011] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality causes the wireless communicator to transmit user interface
data from the wireless communicator to the enhanced function device in
conformance with the information relating to parenting user interface
functionality.

[0012] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality expands
the functionality of the wireless communicator, in addition to causing
the wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating with the
parenting user interface functionality.

[0013] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device expands the functionality of the
wireless communicator by enabling access to functionality of the wireless
communicator that is inaccessible when the wireless communicator is not
pouched with the enhanced function device.

[0014] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the enhanced function device provisions software to the wireless
communicator when the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced
function device.

[0015] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device includes a subscriber identifier,
which enables wireless network connectivity that is inaccessible to the
wireless communicator when the wireless communicator is not pouched with
the enhanced function device.

[0016] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the subscriber identifier is a SIM card.

[0017] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the housing includes an at least partially transparent portion
in an outer facing surface, the wireless communicator further includes at
least one light source fastened inside of the housing, the light source
indicates when the wireless communicator is sufficiently pouched with the
enhanced function device so as to activate the pouching responsive
electrical interconnection functionality, and the light of the at least
one light source shines through the at least partially transparent
portion of the housing.

[0018] Moreover in according to an embodiment of the present invention
said portion is a hole in the housing.

[0019] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source is an LED light.

[0020] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the light source indicates a state of the wireless
communicator.

[0021] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source indicates a battery status of the wireless communicator.

[0022] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the light source indicates a reception strength of the wireless
communicator.

[0023] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source indicates an operational mode of the wireless
communication functionality.

[0024] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the light source indicates when the wireless communication
functionality is in audio conversation operational mode.

[0025] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source indicates when the wireless communication functionality
is in video operational conversation mode.

[0026] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the light source indicates when a new message has been
received.

[0027] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source indicates when a new message has been sent.

[0028] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention said message is a text message.

[0029] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
said message is a multimedia message.

[0030] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention said message is an email message.

[0031] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source indicates when the wireless communicator has an incoming
phone call.

[0032] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the light source indicates a status of the enhanced function device when
the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

[0033] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the light source indicates an operational mode of the enhanced
function device when the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

[0034] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the housing includes an at least partially transparent portion in an
outer facing surface, the wireless communication functionality includes
an antenna fastened inside of the housing, for receiving and transmitting
radio signals, the antenna includes an antenna hole in an outer facing
surface, the antenna hole is aligned with the at least partially
transparent portion of the housing, the wireless communicator further
includes a light source fastened inside of the housing, the light source
indicates when the wireless communicator is sufficiently pouched with the
enhanced function device so as to activate the pouching responsive
electrical interconnection functionality, and the light of the light
source shines through the antenna hole and through the at least partially
transparent portion in the housing.

[0035] Yet further n accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the native user interface functionality includes at least one
of a keyboard, a display, a microphone, an earpiece, a headset port, a
speaker and a vibrator.

[0036] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality
responsive to pouching orientation of the housing in the pouch of the
enhanced function device restricts the wireless communication
functionality from using at least a portion of the native user interface
functionality.

[0037] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication functionality includes a phone call
dialing functionality, and the pouching responsive electrical
interconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of the
housing in the pouch of the enhanced function device restricts the
dialing functionality.

[0038] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communication functionality includes a network access
functionality, and the pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing in said
pouch of the enhanced function device restricts the network access
functionality.

[0039] There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention an enhanced function device for use with a wireless
communicator including a housing, wireless communication functionality
located within the housing and native user interface functionality
cooperating with the wireless communication functionality, the enhanced
function device including a pouch, parenting user interface
functionality, and pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing of the
wireless communicator in the pouch for causing the wireless communication
functionality to adapt to cooperating with the parenting user interface
functionality at least partially instead of with the native user
interface functionality.

[0040] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality
automatically causes the wireless communication functionality to adapt to
cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality when the
housing is oriented in the pouch of the enhanced function device.

[0041] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality causes the wireless communication functionality to adapt to
cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality, when
manually prompted to do so and when the housing is oriented in the pouch
of the enhanced function device.

[0042] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality includes
alien rejection functionality operative to prevent cooperation of an
alien wireless communicator with the parenting user interface
functionality of the enhanced function device notwithstanding existence
of pouching orientation of the alien wireless communicator in the pouch
of the enhanced function device.

[0043] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device is able to operate when the
wireless communicator is not pouched therewith.

[0044] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the enhanced function device is not able to operate unless the wireless
communicator is pouched therewith.

[0045] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device includes a non-volatile storage
positioned within the housing, for storing information relating to
parenting user interface functionality, and a controller positioned
within the housing for transmitting from the enhanced function device to
the wireless communicator the information relating to parenting user
interface functionality, when the wireless communicator is pouched with
the enhanced function device.

[0046] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the parenting user interface functionality includes at least one of a
keyboard, a display, a microphone, a speaker, a headset port and an
earpiece.

[0047] There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention a wireless communication system including a
wireless communicator, including a housing, wireless communication
functionality located within the housing, native user interface
functionality cooperating with the wireless communication functionality
and including user interface surfaces located on at least one outer
facing surface of the housing, and pouching responsive electrical
interconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of the
housing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for automatically
causing the wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating
with parenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhanced
function device at least partially instead of with the native user
interface functionality, and an enhanced function device, including a
pouch, parenting user interface functionality, and pouching responsive
electrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouching
orientation of the housing of the wireless communicator in the pouch for
automatically causing the wireless communication functionality to adapt
to cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality at least
partially instead of with the native user interface functionality.

[0048] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communication functionality includes a phone call dialing
functionality.

[0049] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication functionality includes a network
access functionality.

[0050] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the system includes alien rejection functionality operative to prevent
cooperation between mutually alien wireless communication functionality
and enhanced user interface functionality of a wireless communicator and
an enhanced function device which are mutually alien notwithstanding
existence of pouching orientation of said housing in a pouch of said
enhanced function device.

[0051] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication system includes connector circuitry
connecting the wireless communicator with the enhanced function device
when the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced function
device, wherein the connector circuitry enables the wireless communicator
to detect whether or not the wireless communicator is pouched with the
enhanced function device.

[0052] Alternatively in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication system includes connector circuitry
connecting the wireless communicator with the enhanced function device
when the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced function
device, wherein the connector circuitry enables the wireless communicator
to determine whether the enhanced function device is able to operate when
the wireless communicator is not pouched therewith, or else is unable to
operate unless the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

[0053] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communicator functions as a master when pouched
with the enhanced function device if the wireless communicator determines
that the enhanced function device is unable to operate unless the
wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

[0054] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communicator functions as a slave when pouched with the
enhanced function device if the wireless communicator determines that the
enhanced function device is able to operate when the wireless
communicator is not pouched therewith.

[0055] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication system includes connector circuitry
connecting the wireless communicator with the enhanced function device
when the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced function
device, where the connector circuitry enables the enhanced function
device to power the wireless communicator on and off when the enhanced
function device is respectively powered on and off.

[0056] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communicator and the enhanced function device each includes
a rechargeable battery, the wireless communicator system including
connector circuitry connecting the wireless communicator with the
enhanced function device when the wireless communicator is pouched with
the enhanced function device, wherein the connector circuitry enables
each of the rechargeable batteries to supply power to both the wireless
communicator and the enhanced function device.

[0057] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communicator and the enhanced function device each
includes a rechargeable battery, the wireless communicator system
including connector circuitry connecting the wireless communicator with
the enhanced function device when the wireless communicator is pouched
with the enhanced function device, wherein the connector circuitry
enables each of the rechargeable batteries to charge the other
rechargeable battery.

[0058] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communicator includes a mailbox for receiving data from the
enhanced function device and for transmitting data to the enhanced
function device, when the wireless communicator is pouched with the
enhanced function device.

[0059] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communicator pouching responsive electrical
interconnection functionality is operative to wirelessly transmit a
report about the enhanced function device to a remote recipient.

[0060] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the enhanced function device is an electronic appliance.

[0061] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the report is an appliance registration report.

[0062] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the report is an appliance diagnostic report.

[0063] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device includes a media playing module
for playing digital media files, and a storage unit for storing digital
media files, and wherein the parenting user interface functionality
includes functionality for navigating and playing digital media files
stored in the storage unit, and wherein the wireless communicator further
includes a storage unit for storing digital media files, and a controller
for storing incoming media files in the storage unit and for selectively
copying media files from the storage unit to the enhanced function device
storage unit when the wireless communicator is pouched in the enhanced
function device.

[0064] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communicator includes an audio playing module for playing
digital audio files, and the enhanced function device includes a
controller for selectively copying media files from the enhanced function
device storage unit to the wireless communicator storage unit when the
wireless communicator is pouched in the enhanced function device.

[0065] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the parenting user interface functionality includes
functionality for navigating and playing digital media files stored in
the wireless communicator storage unit.

[0066] There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention a method for a pouchable wireless communicator, the
wireless communicator having a native user interface, including in
response to orienting the wireless communicator in a pouch of an enhanced
function device, adapting the wireless communicator to conform with a
parent user interface forming part of the enhanced function device at
least partially instead of with the native user interface.

[0067] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes preventing the wireless communicator from
adapting to conform with an alien enhanced function device,
notwithstanding the wireless communicator being oriented in a pouched of
the alien enhanced function device.

[0068] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the method includes mutually transmitting from the enhanced function
device to the wireless communicator information relating to the parent
user interface of the enhanced function device, and configuring the
wireless communicator to conform with the parent user interface forming
part of the enhanced function device at least partially instead of with
the native user interface.

[0069] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes transmitting user interface data from the
wireless communicator to the enhanced function device in conformance with
the information relating to the parent user interface.

[0070] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the native user interface functionality includes at least one of a
keyboard, a display, a microphone, an earpiece, a headset port, a speaker
and a vibrator.

[0071] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention adapting the wireless communicator to conform with a parent
user interface includes restricting the wireless communicator from using
at least a portion of its native user interface.

[0072] There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention a method for using a wireless communicator, the
wireless communicator having a native user interface, including in
response to orienting the wireless communicator in a pouch of an enhanced
function device, causing the wireless communicator to adapt to conform
with a parent user interface of the enhanced function device at least
partially instead of with the native user interface.

[0073] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device is able to operate when the
wireless communicator is not pouched therewith.

[0074] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the enhanced function device is not able to operate unless the wireless
communicator is pouched therewith.

[0075] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the parenting user interface functionality includes at least
one of a keyboard, a display, a microphone, a speaker, a headset port and
an earpiece.

[0076] There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention a method for wireless communication including in
response to orienting a wireless communicator having a native user
interface in a pouch of an enhanced function device, adapting the
wireless communicator to conform with a parent user interface forming
part of the enhanced function device at least partially instead of with
the native user interface, and in response to orienting the wireless
communicator in the pouch of the enhanced function device, causing the
wireless communicator to adapt to conform with the parent user interface
of the enhanced function device at least partially instead of with the
native user interface.

[0077] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes detecting whether or not the wireless
communicator is pouched with the enhanced function device.

[0078] Alternatively in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes determining whether the is enhanced
function device is able to operate when the wireless communicator is not
pouched therewith, or else is unable to operate unless the wireless
communicator is pouched therewith.

[0079] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes controlling the wireless communicator to
function as a master when pouched with the enhanced function device if
the determining determines that the enhanced function device is unable to
operate unless the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

[0080] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the method includes controlling the wireless communicator to function as
a slave when pouched with the enhanced function device if the determining
determines that the enhanced function device is able to operate when the
wireless communicator is not pouched therewith.

[0081] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes powering the wireless communicator on and
off, by the enhanced function device, when the enhanced function device
is respectively powered on and off.

[0082] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the method includes supplying power to both the wireless communicator and
the enhanced function device by a rechargeable battery in the wireless
communicator.

[0083] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes supplying power to both the wireless
communicator and the enhanced function device by a rechargeable battery
in the enhanced function device.

[0084] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the method includes charging a rechargeable battery in the wireless
communicator by a rechargeable battery in the enhanced function device.

[0085] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the method includes charging a rechargeable battery in the
enhanced function device by a rechargeable battery in the wireless
communicator.

[0086] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the method includes wirelessly transmitting, by the wireless
communicator, a report about the enhanced function device to a remote
recipient.

[0087] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the enhanced function device is an electronic appliance.

[0088] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the report is an appliance registration report.

[0089] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the report is an appliance diagnostic report.

[0090] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communicator and the enhanced function device each have
storage units, and the parent user interface includes an interface for
navigating and playing digital media files stored in the enhanced
function device storage unit, the method including storing, by the
wireless communicator, incoming media files in the wireless communicator
storage unit, and selectively copying media files from the wireless
communicator storage unit to the enhanced function device storage unit
when the wireless communicator is pouched in the enhanced function
device.

[0091] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the native user interface includes an interface for playing
digital audio files stored in the wireless communicator storage unit, the
method including selectively copying, by the enhanced function device,
media files from the enhanced function device storage unit to the
wireless communicator storage unit when the wireless communicator is
pouched in the enhanced function device.

[0092] There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention a wireless communication system including a plurality
of wireless communicators, each wireless communicator including a
housing, wireless communication functionality located within the housing,
native user interface functionality cooperating with the wireless
communication functionality and including user interface surfaces located
on at least one outer facing surface of the housing, and pouching
responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsive to
pouching orientation of the housing in a pouch of an enhanced function
device for automatically causing the wireless communication functionality
to adapt to interoperation with parenting user interface functionality
forming part of the enhanced function device at least partially instead
of with the native user interface functionality, and a plurality of
distinguishable enhanced function devices, each enhanced function device
including a pouch, parenting user interface functionality, and pouching
responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsive to
pouching orientation of the housing of the wireless communicator in the
pouch for automatically causing the wireless communication functionality
to adapt to interoperation with the parenting user interface
functionality at least partially instead of with the native user
interface functionality, wherein the plurality of wireless communicator
pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionalities and the
plurality of enhanced function device pouching responsive electrical
interconnection functionalities enable each wireless communicator to
identify which of the plurality of distinguishable enhanced function
devices it is pouched in.

[0093] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the wireless communication functionality wirelessly transmits
to a remote recipient a report about an enhanced function device, when
the wireless communicator identifies the enhanced function device as
being pouched therewith.

[0094] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the plurality of wireless communicators includes GSM wireless
communicators and CDMA wireless communicators.

[0095] There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention a method for wireless communication including in
response to orienting each of a plurality of wireless communicators
having native user interfaces in a pouch of one of a plurality of
distinguishable enhanced function devices adapting the wireless
communicator to conform with a parent user interface forming part of the
one enhanced function device at least partially instead of with the
native user interface, and identifying which one of the plurality of
distinguishable enhanced function devices the wireless communicator is
pouched in, and in response to orienting each of the plurality of
wireless communicators in the pouch of one of the plurality of enhanced
function devices, causing the wireless communicator to adapt to conform
with the parent user interface of the one enhanced function device at
least partially instead of with the native user interface.

[0096] Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the method includes wirelessly transmitting to a remote recipient, by the
wireless communicator, a report about an enhanced function device, when
the wireless communicator identifies the enhanced function device as
being pouched therewith.

[0097] Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the plurality of wireless communicators includes GSM wireless
communicators and CDMA wireless communicators.

[0098] There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention an enhanced function device for use with a plurality of
wireless communicators, each wireless communicator including a housing,
wireless communication functionality located within the housing, and
native user interface functionality cooperating with the wireless
communication functionality, the enhanced function device including
parenting user interface functionality, a plurality of pouches, and
pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsive
to pouching orientation of the housing of any specific one of the
plurality of wireless communicator in a corresponding one of the
plurality of pouches, for causing the wireless communication
functionality of the specific wireless communicator to adapt to
cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality at least
partially instead of with the specific wireless communicator native user
interface functionality.

[0099] Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the pouching responsive electrical interconnection
functionality causes the wireless communication functionality of at least
two wireless communicators to simultaneously adapt to cooperating with
the parenting user interface functionality at least partially instead of
with the respective native user interface functionalities of the at least
two wireless communicators, in response to pouching orientation of the
housings of the at least two wireless communicators in corresponding at
least two pouches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0100] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated
from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
drawings in which:

[0101] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a multifunctional
multi-parent, pouchable communication system constructed and operative in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0102] FIG. 2A is a simplified illustrations of various stages of pouching
of a wireless communicator with a first enhanced function device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0103] FIG. 2B is a simplified illustrations of various stages of pouching
of a wireless communicator with a second enhanced function device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0104] FIGS. 3A and 3B are pictorial illustrations of an embodiment of a
wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0105] FIGS. 4A and 4B are pictorial illustrations of an embodiment of an
enhanced function device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0106] FIG. 5 is a pictorial illustration of an embodiment of an internal
antenna of the wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;

[0107] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram illustration of the wireless
communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0108] FIG. 7A is a simplified block diagram illustration of a first
enhanced function device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0109] FIG. 7B is a simplified block diagram illustration of a second
enhanced function device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0110] FIG. 5A is a simplified flow chart illustration of operation of the
wireless communicator when pouched within the enhanced function device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0111] FIG. 8B is a simplified diagram of logic for alien rejection for a
wireless communicator and an enhanced function device in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0112] FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a pouching interface
between the wireless communicator and the enhanced function device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0113] FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator
with three operational states in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0114] FIG. 11 is a simplified flowchart of a method for the wireless
communicator to detect the type of enhanced function device it is pouched
with in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0115] FIG. 12, which is a simplified diagram of an SD card interface that
provides extended functionality in accordance with the present invention;

[0116] FIG. 13 is a simplified illustration of an arrangement of clusters
in an SD card file system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0117] FIG. 14 is a simplified flowchart of a method for downloading a
file from a remote server to the wireless communicator in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0118] FIGS. 15A-15D are snapshots of a user interface and a file system
for a simple example use case, during various stages of file download
during operation of the method of FIG. 14 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0119] FIG. 16 is a simplified flowchart of a method for playing a
streamed file from an SD card in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0120] FIG. 17 is a simplified flowchart of a method for playing a
streamed file from the wireless communicator in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0121] FIG. 18 is an illustration of file streaming using a circular
cluster cycle in the FAT in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0122] FIG. 19, which is a simplified flowchart of a method for uploading
a file from the wireless communicator to a remote server in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0123] FIGS. 20A and 20B, which are snapshots of a user interface and a
file system for a simple example use case, during various stages of file
upload during operation of the method of FIG. 19 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0124] FIGS. 21A and 21B, are displays of configuration screens for the
enhanced function device and the wireless communicator, pouched together,
controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0125] FIGS. 22A and 22B, are displays of different configuration screens
for the enhanced function device and the wireless communicator, pouched
together, controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0126] FIGS. 23A and 23B, are displays of yet different configuration
screens for the enhanced function device and the wireless communicator,
pouched together, controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0127] FIG. 24 is a simplified block diagram of a system with a uniform
interface for configuring the wireless communicator and the enhanced
function device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0128] FIG. 25A is a simplified flowchart of a first embodiment of a
method for controlling a configuration interface for the wireless
communicator so as to conform to the look & feel of the parent user
interface; in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0129] FIG. 25B, which is a simplified flowchart of a second embodiment of
a method for controlling a configuration interface for the wireless
communicator so as to conform to the look & feel of the parent user
interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0130] FIG. 25C is a simplified flowchart of a third embodiment of a
method for controlling a configuration interface for the wireless
communicator so as to conform to the look & feel of the parent user
interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0131] FIG. 26 is an illustration of button keys that have different key
assignments for parent mode and native mode, but a common look & feel
user interface for setting wireless communicator and enhanced function
device configuration parameters in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0132] FIGS. 27A and 27B are illustrations of handset body dressed up in
jackets with two different parent user interface packages in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0133] FIG. 28 is a simplified diagram of a circuit that provides
bi-directional power control, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0134] FIG. 29, which is a simplified block diagram of bi-directional
battery charging for a simple enhanced function device in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0135] FIG. 30 is a summary of bi-directional battery charging logic for
the hardware of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0136] FIG. 31 is a simplified block diagram of bi-directional battery
charging for a complex enhanced function device in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0137] FIG. 32 is a summary of bi-directional battery charging logic for
the hardware of FIG. 31 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0138] FIGS. 33A and 33B are simplified diagrams of a switching circuit
that distinguishes between twelve audio/USB configurations of in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0139] FIG. 34 is a simplified diagram of an electrical circuit that
determines bus direction in bi-directional SD and MMC signal lines in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0140] FIG. 35 is a simplified flowchart of a method for determining bus
direction in bi-directional SD and MMC signal lines in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0141] FIG. 36 is a sample simulation for A and B signals 110010101110111
and 0010111, respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0142] FIG. 37 is a simplified diagram of an electrical circuit that
determines bus direction in multiplexed directional SD and MMC signal
lines in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0143] FIG. 38 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary GSM
communication network, within which the wireless communicator transmits
information about a consumer electronic (CE) device to remote sites in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0144] FIG. 39 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) communication network, within which the wireless
communicator transmits information about a consumer electronic (CE)
device to remote sites in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0145] FIG. 40 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary IEEE 802.11b
WiFi communication network, within which the wireless communicator
transmits information about a consumer electronic (CE) device to remote
sites in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0146] FIG. 41 is a simplified flowchart of a method for automated
consumer electronic device reporting, using the wireless communicator in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0147] FIG. 42 is a simplified illustration of a communications network
with the wireless communicator that wirelessly transmits registration
information about an appliance to one or both of a remote manufacturer
and a remote seller in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0148] FIG. 43 is a simplified illustration of a communications network
with the wireless communicator that wirelessly transmits diagnostic
information about an appliance to one or more of a remote seller, a
remote manufacturer and a remote service provider in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0149] FIG. 44 is a simplified flowchart of a method for registering
electrical appliances using the wireless communicator in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0150] FIG. 45 is a simplified flowchart of a method for reporting
diagnostics for electrical appliances using the wireless communicator in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0151] FIG. 46 is a simplified flow chart of a method for provisioning
software and firmware updates to a plurality of jackets and appliances
using the wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.

[0152] FIG. 47 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator
with a pouching controller in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention;

[0153] FIG. 48 is a simplified flowchart of a method for booting the
wireless communicator's baseband modem, and for performing subsequent
operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0154] FIG. 49 is a simplified flowchart of a method for communicating
between the enhanced function host device and the wireless communicator's
baseband modem, and accessing the SD storage, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0155] FIGS. 50A/1 and 50A/2 together are a simplified diagram
illustrating a process of enabling a baseband modem to access SD storage,
where a pouching controller coordinates between the baseband modem and
enhanced function host device in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention;

[0156] FIG. 50B is a simplified diagram illustrating a process of enabling
a baseband modem to access SD storage, where a pouching controller
coordinates between the baseband modem and enhanced function host device
in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0157] FIG. 51 is a simplified flowchart of a method for a sleep mode in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0158] FIG. 52 is a simplified flowchart of a method for resuming
operation after a sleep mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0159] FIG. 53 is a simplified block diagram of a cellular handset, in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0160] FIG. 54 is a simplified block diagram of a power management system,
for preserving life of the battery in the wireless communicator in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0161] FIG. 55 is a simplified flowchart of a method for preserving life
of a battery in the wireless communicator in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0162] FIG. 56 is a simplified state transition diagram for power modes of
the wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0163] FIGS. 57A and 57B are illustrations of the wireless communicator
pouched with a USB jacket in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0164] FIG. 58 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator
and a USB jacket in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0165] FIG. 59 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator
and a USB jacket, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;

[0166] FIGS. 60A and 60B are simplified block diagrams of a modular audio
player pouched with a digital media player in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0167] FIG. 61 is a simplified flowchart of a method for synchronizing
media files between the host media player and the modular audio player,
when the media files are received by the modular player in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0168] FIG. 62 is a simplified flowchart of a method for synchronizing
media files between the host media player and the modular audio player,
when the media files are received by the host player in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0169] FIG. 63 is a simplified flowchart of operations carried out when
the modular audio player is pouched with the host media player in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0170] For reference to the figures, the following index of elements and
their numerals is provided. Elements numbered in the 100's generally
relate to the wireless communicator, elements numbered in the 200's
generally relate to the enhanced function device, elements numbered in
the 400's-600's generally relate to pouch connection circuitry, elements
numbered in the 300's and 700's-900's generally relate to wireless
networks. Elements numbered in the 1000's-3000's are steps of flow
charts.

[0171] Aspects of the present invention relate to a wireless communicator
that attaches to an enhanced function device in a manner referred to
herein as pouching. Pouching is defined herein to mean inserting the
wireless communicator device inside of the enhanced function device so
that the wireless communicator is at least partially obscured by the
enhanced function device, and such that the enhanced function device
mechanically supports the wireless communicator.

[0172] There are two general types of enhanced function devices into which
the wireless communicator may be pouched; namely, jackets and hosts. A
jacket is a device that provides a user interface for the wireless
communicator, enriches the capabilities of the wireless communicator, and
is not able to operate independently when the wireless communicator is
not pouched therewith. Conversely, a host is a device that is able to
operate independently when the wireless communicator is not pouched
therewith, and whose capabilities are enriched by the wireless
communicator when the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.
Generally a host does not have communication functionality independent of
the wireless communicator.

[0173] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified illustration
of a multifunctional multi-parent, pouchable communication system
constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Shown in FIG. 1 are a variety of wireless communicators,
including 2.5G communicators for a GSM network, 3G communicators for GSM
network, and CDMA communicators for a CDMA network. Such wireless
communicators are described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 38 and
39. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the networks
illustrated in FIG. 1 are exemplary of a wide variety of networks and
communication protocols that are supported by the wireless communicators
of the present invention, such networks and communication protocols
including inter alia WiFi, Bluetooth and WiMax.

[0174] Also shown in FIG. 1 are a variety of enhanced function devices. In
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each wireless
communicator may be pouched with each enhanced function device, and is
compatible therewith. The wireless communicators are substantially of the
same form factor and, as such, are able to be pouched with the various
enhanced function devices.

[0175] Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which is a simplified
illustration of various stages of pouching of a wireless communicator 100
with a first enhanced function device 200a in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. First enhanced device 200a is a
jacket for wireless communicator 100. The housing of wireless
communicator 100 has an at least partially transparent portion 101 for a
light source, such as an LED display, to show through. When wireless
communicator 100 is fully inserted into jacket 200a so that electrical
connection is made via a pouch connector, the light source is lit
underneath portion 101, indicating that the connection has been made.

[0176] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the light
source may be used to indicate a status of wireless communicator 100.
Thus the light source may indicate inter alia a battery status of
wireless communicator, or a reception strength thereof. The light source
may indicate an operational mode of wireless communicator 100. Thus the
light source may indicate inter alia an audio conversation mode or a
video conversation mode. The light source may indicate when a new message
has been received by wireless communicator 100, or when a new message has
been sent by wireless communicator 100. The light source may indicate
that wireless communicator 100 has an incoming call. Similarly, the light
source may indicate a status or operational mode of enhanced function
device 200 when wireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith.

[0177] Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which is a simplified
illustration of various stages of pouching of wireless communicator 100
with a second enhanced function device 200b in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. Second enhanced function device 200b
is a host for wireless communicator 100. When wireless communicator 100
is fully inserted into jacket 200b so that electrical connection is made
via a pouch connector, a light source is lit underneath portion 101,
confirming that the connection has been made.

[0178] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are pictorial
illustrations of an embodiment of wireless communicator 100 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 is
small; in one embodiment, its dimensions are approximately 72.09
mm×37.59 mm×7.80 mm. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the present invention is applicable when wireless communicator 100
is manufactured with other dimensions, as well. As shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B, the housing for wireless communicator 100 includes an at least
partially transparent portion 101 for a light source to show through.

[0179] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are pictorial
illustrations of an embodiment of enhanced function device 200 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0180] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a pictorial illustration
of an embodiment of an internal antenna 140 of wireless communicator 100
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 5, antenna 140 includes an opening 141 for a light, such as an LED
light, to show through. Antenna 140 is positioned so that opening 141 is
aligned underneath at least partially transparent portion 101 of FIGS. 3A
and 3B. The light for indicating a pouching connection between wireless
communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 thus shows through
opening 141 and is visible through portion 101.

[0181] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified block
diagram illustration of wireless communicator 100 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 includes
six primary components, as follows: a pouching controller 110, a memory
storage 115, a modem 120 for sending and receiving voice communications,
a power management subsystem 125, a power amplifier 135 and a native user
interface 170.

[0182] Pouching controller 110 executes programmed instructions that
control the data flow between wireless communicator 100 and enhanced
function device 200. Modem 120 controls the wireless communication
functionality of wireless communicator 100. Power management subsystem
125 includes charging circuitry for charging a battery 145. Power
amplifier 135 includes a radio frequency (RF) interface 136, and is
connected to an antenna 140. Native user interface 170 includes a
microphone 171 and an earpiece 173. Native user interface 170 also
includes an optional speaker 175, to vibrator 177, keyboard 180 and
display 185. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
native user interface 170 may included additional components, such as a
headset audio jack.

[0183] Wireless communicator includes an optional audio/video subsystem
130, which includes inter alia a voice, audio and video interface.

[0184] Wireless communicator 100 includes a connector 150, which includes
a pouch connector 160 and an optional USB connector 155. Wireless
communicator 100 optionally includes a SIM 190.

[0185] Generally, each subscriber of a wireless communication network is
uniquely identified. Various methods are known in the art for identifying
subscribers, including inter an IP address and a subscriber
identification module (SIM). Although the description herein refers to
SIM cards, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other forms of
subscriber identification may be used instead.

[0186] Wireless communicator 100 operates in standalone mode or in
conjunction with enhanced function devices, such as enhanced function
device 200 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when it is pouched therein via pouch
connector 160.

[0187] Preferably the interface between pouching controller 110 and
storage 115, and the interface between pouching controller 110 and modem
120 are SD interfaces. The interface between pouching controller 110 and
pouch connector 160 is a customized pouching interface.

[0188] Reference is now made to FIG. 7A, which is a simplified block
diagram illustration of first enhanced function device 200a in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. Enhanced function device
200a is a jacket for wireless communicator 100. Enhanced function device
200a includes a pouching controller 210a and a pouch connector 260a, for
use when wireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function
device 200a via the wireless communicator's pouch connector 160. Enhanced
function device 200a includes an optional auxiliary processor 205a, an
optional storage 215a, an optional power management subsystem 225a, and
an optional battery 245a, and an optional SIM 290a.

[0189] Enhanced function device 200a includes a parent user interface 270a
including an optional microphone 271a, an optional earpiece 273a, an
optional mono speaker or optional stereo speakers 275a, an optional
vibrator 277a, an optional keyboard 280a and an optional display 285a. It
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that native user
interface 270a may included additional components, such as a headset
audio jack.

[0190] Preferably the interface between pouching controller 210a and
storage 215a, is an SD interface. The interface between pouching
controller 210a and pouch connector 260a is a customized pouching
interface.

[0191] Reference is now made to FIG. 7B, which is a simplified block
diagram illustration of second enhanced function device 200b in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Enhanced function
device 200b is a host for wireless communicator 100. Enhanced function
device 200b includes a pouching controller 210b, a power management
subsystem 225b and a pouch connector 260b. Enhanced function device 200b
includes an optional host controller 205b, an optional battery 245b and
an optional SIM 290b.

[0192] Enhanced function device 200b includes a parent user interface 270b
including an optional microphone 271b, an optional earpiece 273b, an
optional mono speaker or optional stereo speakers 275b, an optional
keyboard 280b, and an optional display 285b. It will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that native user interface 270b may included
additional components, such as a headset audio jack.

[0193] The interface between pouching controller 210b and pouch connector
260b is a customized pouching interface.

[0194] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, enhanced
function device 200a/200b includes SIM 290a/290b, and when wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200a/200b,
wireless communicator 100 can access SIM 290a/290b via pouch connectors
160 and 260a/260b. As such, wireless communicator 100 is able to identify
itself to a wireless network using either SIM 190 or SIM 290a/290b.

[0195] Having access to more than one SIM when pouched with enhanced
function device 200a/200b, provides many diverse advantages to wireless
communicator 100. Wireless communicator 100 is then able inter alia (i)
to receive incoming communications for multiple subscribers, (ii) to
select a desired subscriber identity for sending outgoing communications,
and (iii) to change the identity of wireless communicator 100 in a
wireless network from the identity corresponding to SIM 190 to an
alternate identity corresponding to SIM 290a/290b.

[0196] In an embodiment of the present invention, SIM 290a/290b is a
prepaid SIM, which allows a limited amount of communication:

[0197] In another embodiment of the present invention SIM 190 and SIM
290a/290b are associated with different billing programs of a wireless
operator.

[0198] In another embodiment of the present invention, SIM 190 and SIM
290a/290b may have different access rights to resources in a wireless
network.

[0199] In another embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 uses SIM 290a/290b in conjunction with SIM 190, when
wireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device
200a/200b.

[0200] In another embodiment of the present invention, when wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200a/200b,
enhanced function device 200a/200b stores instructions on when to use SIM
290a/290b for subscriber identification. For example, enhanced function
device 200a/200b may instruct wireless communicator 100 to use SIM
290a/290b for international calls, for SMS messaging and for data
services. For other communications, wireless communicator uses SIM 190.

[0201] In another embodiment of the present invention, when wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200a/200b,
wireless communicator 100 prompts a user to select between possible
subscriber identifiers. Further, if wireless communicator 100 is
connected to a network prior to being pouched with enhanced function
device 200a/200b, and if the user selects to change subscriber identity
when wireless communicator is subsequently pouched with enhanced function
device, then wireless communicator 100 disconnects from the network and
reconnects to the network using the changed subscribed identify.

[0202] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that use of more
than one SIM may enables wireless communicator 100, when pouched with
enhanced function device 200a/200b, to access wireless networks for which
wireless communicator alone does not have access thereto.

[0203] It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
enhanced function device 200a/200b may include more than one SIM
290a/290b.

[0204] Reference is now made to FIG. 8A, which is a simplified flow chart
illustration of operation of wireless communicator 100 when pouched
within enhanced function device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. At step 1005 wireless communicator 100 is pouched
with enhanced function device 200. At step 1010 wireless communicator 100
and enhanced function device 200 authenticate each other.

[0205] In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 8B which is a
simplified diagram of logic for alien rejection for wireless communicator
100 and enhanced function device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function
device 200 each have a private key and a certificate signed by a trusted
third party private key. As shown in FIG. 8B, the following sequence of
events occurs at step 1010 of FIG. 8A.

[0218] The logic shown in FIG. 8B thus establishes a common key between
wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200, and enables
validation of each certificate to facilitate alien rejection at step
1010.

[0219] Referring back to FIG. 5A, at step 1015 a determination is made
whether or not wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200
are mutually alien, based on the outcome of the logic shown in FIG. 8B.
If so, then processing aborts at step 1020. Otherwise, at step 1025
wireless communicator 100 reads information about enhanced device, the
information including inter alia subscriber network identification
information. At step 1028 wireless communicator 100 discovers the
characteristics of the enhanced function device that it is pouched with.
At step 1029 wireless communicator 100 auto-adapts itself to enhanced
function device 200.

[0221] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, enhanced
function device 200 operates with a plurality of wireless communicators
100 simultaneously. Simultaneous pouching of the plurality of wireless
communicators 100 with the same enhanced function device 200 has many
advantages, including inter alia (i) battery charging, (ii) combining
multiple wireless communication channels to expand bandwidth, (iii)
enabling enhanced function device 200 to accept communication transmitted
to any of the plurality of wireless communicators, (iv) usage of data
storage in more than one wireless communicator, and (v) transfer of data
from one wireless communicator to another wireless communicator.

[0222] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pouching
location of the plurality of wireless communicators within enhanced
function device 200 dictates an order of priority for the plurality of
wireless communicators.

[0223] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of
plurality of wireless communicators 100 has an identifier that is
displayed by parenting user interface 270 of enhanced function device
200.

[0224] According to an embodiment of the present invention, parenting user
interface 270 enables modification of the wireless communicator
identifiers.

[0225] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified block
diagram of a pouching interface between wireless communicator 100 and
enhanced function device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the pouching interface includes
two data channels; namely, a first data channel for use by a wireless
communicator manager 113 and an enhanced function device manager 213, and
a second data channel for use by a wireless communicator bridge 114 and
an enhanced function device bridge 214. Said managers 113 and 213 and
bridge 114 and 214 may be embodied in pouching controller.

[0226] The first data channel is used for exchanging mailbox messages
between pouching controller 110 and pouching controller 210. The second
data channel is used to place peripherals such as camera/display 285, in
direct connection with modem 120.

[0227] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the
interface for the peripherals is translated into a proprietary protocol
in wireless communicator 100, and is translated back to the original
peripheral interface in enhanced function device 200.

[0228] The pouching interface may include third data channel, for use in
transferring large amounts of data between pouching controller 110 and
pouching controller 210.

[0229] The pouching interface includes inter alia audio channels and power
supply lines.

[0230] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouching
of wireless communicator 100 with enhanced function device 200 may reduce
the functionality of wireless communicator 100. Specifically, functions
accessible to wireless communicator 100 may be limited when wireless
communicator is pouched with enhanced function device 200. For example,
when pouched with enhanced function device 200, wireless communicator 100
may be limited to only dialing designated phone numbers, or to only
connecting to designated web sites, or to only using a text editor to
send SMS messages. Similarly, wireless communicator 100 may be limited to
air-time, and restricted to accessing configuration settings for wireless
communicator 100.

[0231] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the limiting
of wireless communicator functionality is initiated automatically when
wireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the limiting of
wireless communicator functionality is initiated manually; e.g., by
entering a password.

[0232] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user can manually
remove the reduction of functionality whilst the wireless communicator is
pouched within enhanced function device; e.g. by entering a password.

[0233] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the limiting
of wireless communicator functionality is a parental control mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, jacket 200 is used
to authenticate wireless communicator 100. E.g., a children's wireless
communicator 100 is only configurable when pouched within a parental
jacket 200; or vice versa a children's jacket 200 is only configurable
when a parental wireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith. Moreover,
according to an embodiment of the present invention when a parental
wireless communicator 100 is pouched with a children's jacket 200, the
parental wireless communicator 100 assigns a parent's phone number to a
designated programmable key in children's jacket 200.

[0234] 1. Three Operation States of Wireless Communicator

[0235] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the capability of
wireless communicator 100 (i) to operate in a standalone mode, (ii) to be
pouched with a jacket shell that is not an independent device and that
cannot operate without the wireless communicator 100 being pouched
thereto, and (iii) to be pouched with an enhanced function device that
serves as the wireless communicator's host. In state (ii) wireless
communicator 100 functions as a master, and in state (iii) the wireless
communicator 100 functions as a slave.

[0236] It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
wireless communicator 100 is operable in three states; namely, (I) a
standalone state, (II) a state connected to a simple host, and (III) a
state connected to a complex host. In State II the simple host is a
jacket shell. Wireless communicator 100 operates as a master and the
jacket operates as a slave. Conversely, in State III the complex host is
an enhanced function host device. Wireless communicator 100 operates as a
slave and the enhanced function host device operates as a master.

[0237] In State I as a standalone, wireless communicator 100 has its own
user interface and provides communication data and voice over radio
technology, in addition to other services including inter alia MP3
playing.

[0238] In State II connected to a simple host, the jacket is not an
independent device and cannot operate without wireless communicator 100
being pouched therewith. The jacket may include only a display, a
keyboard and a simple non-volatile storage chip. Optionally, the jacket
may further include speakers, a microphone and a secondary power source.
Wireless communicator 100 supplies power to jacket's keyboard, display
speakers and microphone, and to the wireless communicator's own internal
circuitry. Wireless communicator 100 uses the jacket's secondary power
source to charge the wireless communicator's internal power source.

[0239] During initialization, after wireless communicator 100 is pouched
with the jacket, or at boot time, static configuration parameters are
read from the storage of the jacket to wireless communicator 100.
Thereafter, wireless communicator 100 provides the jacket with display
information, in the form of screen shots such as bitmap images.

[0240] In State III connected to a complex host, the enhanced function
host device is an independent device that operates independently of
wireless communicator 100, such as an MP3/MPP player or a digital camera.
Commands and information are shared, and sent over an SD control bus
during operation. The enhanced function host device includes its own host
controller, user interface and power source. The user interface for both
the device functionality and the wireless communicator functionality
operates through the enhanced function host device. The interface to the
enhanced function host device is via pouch connector 160, where pins on
the connector 160 have specifically assigned functionalities and use
specific protocols.

[0241] It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
pouch connector to the jacket is via the same pouch connector as is the
connector to the enhanced function host device, but the pins on pouch
connector generally have different functionalities and use different
protocols with the jacket than those used with the enhanced function host
device.

[0242] The three operational states of wireless communicator 100 are
summarized in TABLE I hereinbelow.

TABLE-US-00004
TABLE I
Three Operation States of Wireless Communicator 100
State I Standalone Wireless communicator uses its own interface
State II Connected Wireless communicator is master;
jacket is slave
to a simple Jacket cannot operate without wireless
communicator
host Wireless communicator provides jacket with
screen shots, in the form of bitmap images,
for display information
Communication is through SD bus
State Connected Wireless communicator is slave; Enhanced
III to a complex function device is master
host Enhanced function device operates
independently of wireless communicator
Wireless communicator provides enhanced
function device with screen shots, in the
form of bitmap images, for display
information
Communication is through SD bus

[0243] Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is a simplified block
diagram of wireless communicator 100 with three operational states in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wireless
communicator 100 as shown in FIG. 10 supports the three operational
states in TABLE I. The components of wireless communicator 100 shown in
FIG. 10 enable it to function as a standalone device. When enhanced
function device 200 is connected to wireless communicator 100, wireless
communicator 100 may operate as a master or as a slave, and the SD
communication between pouch connectors 160 and 260 flows accordingly.
Specifically, in State II wireless communicator 100 is the master and
enhanced function device 200 is the slave, and in State III wireless
communicator 100 is the slave and enhanced function device 200 is the
master.

[0244] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wireless
communicator 100 automatically detects its operational environment by
monitoring the voltage on designated pins of pouch connector 160. I.e.,
communication card 100 distinguishes between States I-III based on
voltage. Enhanced function host devices and jacket shells generally drive
the voltage on these pins differently, which enables wireless
communicator 100 to discriminate whether or not it is pouched with an
enhanced function device, and to detect the type of enhanced function
device it is connected to.

[0245] In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified
flowchart of a method for wireless communicator 100 to detect the type of
enhanced function device 200 it is pouched with in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. At step 1110 battery subsystem 125
or optionally pouching controller 110 monitors the connector signal
VBat_host, shown in FIG. 10. If the VBat_host signal has a voltage level
higher than logical zero (i.e., 0.5V or higher), as determined at step
1120, then pouching controller 110 concludes that wireless communicator
100 is pouched with an enhanced function device. Otherwise, if VBat_host
is logical zero (i.e., below 0.5V), then at step 1130 pouching controller
110 concludes that wireless communicator 100 is not pouched with an
enhanced function device.

[0246] In order to detect which type of enhanced function device wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with, pouching controller 110 monitors the
HOST_INT/TYPE signal, shown in FIG. 10. When pouching is detected, the
HOST_INT/TYPE signal is sampled at step 1140. If HOST_INT/TYPE is a
logical zero (i.e., below 0.5V), as determined at step 1150, then at step
1160 the pouching controller 110 concludes that enhanced function device
200 is a jacket shell. Otherwise, if HOST_INT/TYPE is higher than logical
zero (i.e., 0.5V or higher), then at step 1170 the pouching controller
110 concludes that enhanced function device 200 is a host device.

[0247] The use of HOST_INT/TYPE for detecting the type of enhanced
function device 200, is made at the time of pouching wireless
communicator 100 with enhanced function device 200. Afterwards, the
signal HOST_INT/TYPE is used as an interrupt signal.

[0248] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the SD_Vdd
signal, shown in FIG. 10, may be monitored at step 1110 instead of or in
addition to the VBat_host signal. Whereas the VBat_host signal generally
indicates whether or not communication card 100 is pouched with an
enhanced function device, the SD_Vdd signal generally indicates whether
or not the enhanced function device is turned on.

[0249] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
threshold of 0.5V used in the above discussion is merely indicative of a
general pre-designated threshold that is used to detect attachment of the
host to the communication card, and to detect the type of the host.

[0250] In an embodiment of the present invention, pouching controller
pouching controller 110 notifies modem 120 of pouching and the type of
enhanced function device.

[0252] In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to be powered,
jackets connect their internal circuitry to the Vbat_Comm signal that
connects to connector 105. If a jacket 200 has a secondary battery, then
the secondary battery is connected to Vbat_Host, which connects to the
wireless communicator's 100 power management subsystem 125 and is used to
charge the wireless communicator's internal battery 145.

[0253] Similarly, the internal circuitry of an enhanced function device
200 is powered by connecting its internal power source to Vbat_Host.
Enhanced function device 200 does not use the Vbat_Comm signal as a power
source, but may monitor it to detect when wireless communicator 100 is
pouched therewith, or to monitor the wireless communicator's battery
level.

[0254] 2. Extending Functionality of Memory Cards

[0255] Embodiments of the present invention concern extending the
functionality of SD cards, beyond the local storage functionality that is
conventionally provided. Using the present invention, SD cards can
provide wired or wireless communication channels to access remote content
servers, and can stream content from, upload content to and download
content from these servers.

[0256] Using the present invention, SD cards can also include applications
that are controlled and displayed by enhanced function device 200, and
implemented on wireless communicator 100.

[0258] Aspects of the present invention further provide an improved SD
memory card that provides extended functionality, including (i) wired or
wireless communication channels for accessing remote content servers, and
(ii) applications that are controlled and displayed by an SD host device,
but are implemented on the SD card. Using the improved SD memory card of
the present invention, wireless communicator 100 can stream music or
video from remote content servers, download files from these servers, and
upload files to these servers.

[0259] Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is a simplified diagram of
an SD card interface that provides extended functionality in accordance
with the present invention.

[0260] In accordance with a embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 12. Wireless communicator 100 uses the same interface as a standard
SD card, and thus operates seamlessly with enhanced function device 200.
Pouching controller 110 is controlled by embedded software. Wireless
communicator storage 115 is embodied as flash memory storage. Wireless
communicator 100 includes an SD slave controller 112, for accessing a
file system that is stored on flash memory 115. Baseband modem 120 is
embodied inter alia as a cellular modem, as a WLAN modem, as a WPAN
modem, or as a wireless modem.

[0261] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIG. 12, enhanced function device 200 as embodied in FIG. 12
includes a pouch. Pouching controller 210 is software controlled to
process an SD instruction stack. Enhanced function device 200 also
includes an SD driver 207. Enhanced function device 200 also includes an
SD application 208 that performs extended functionality enabled by
wireless communicator 100. Details of operation of SD application 208 are
described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 14.

[0263] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 interfaces with enhanced function device 200 as a
standard SD card, and provides information for a virtual file system. The
file and directory structure reported by slave controller 112 to enhanced
function device 200 does not necessarily reflect files and directories
that are stored on wireless communicator 100. Directory names may
represent names of remote servers accessible via baseband modem 120, and
they may represent names of services that wireless communicator 100
provides. The operation of opening a directory by the host, signals
pouching controller 210 to access a specific server or activate a
specific service.

[0264] In accordance with the present invention, file names may represent
names of files or streams that are stored remotely on a selected server.
Opening a specific files triggers wireless communicator 100 to access the
remote file or stream and download it to the card. Immediate access to
the file by the host is provided via a dummy copy of the file that may
include a place holder message such as "file is currently being
downloaded, download will be complete within xx seconds". The place
holder message may be provided in the form of an audio file, such as an
MP3 or WMA file, or an image file, such as a JPEG of GIF file, depending
on the type of file that was requested.

[0265] Writing a file to a designated location on wireless communicator
100 operates to upload the file to the selected remote server.

[0266] In accordance with the present invention, file names may also be
used to designate controls for applications that are executed on wireless
communicator 100. Opening of a file designates activation of a
corresponding control.

[0267] For one usage scenario, wireless communicator 100 may have a
directory named "Radio". Selection of this directory activates a radio on
the card. In turn, the Radio directory includes a list of files with
names "Search Forward", "Search Backward", "Volume Up" and "Volume Down".
Opening the "Search Forward" file, for example, activates an instruction
to the radio to skip to the next channel.

[0268] For another usage scenario, enhanced function device 200 writes to
a file in a directory named "ATComm". In response, an AT command, which
includes content written to the file, is issued to baseband modem 120.
Thus, if the host writes "ATZ" to the file, which is a reset command, the
command is transmitted to baseband modem 120. The modem reply, which is
typically "OK", is written to a second file in the ATComm directory,
available for enhanced function device 200 to read.

[0269] For devices that support more advanced data formats such as HTML
pages or Java applications, wireless communicator 100 provides a
graphical user interface via an HTML file or Java application file that
is stored on the card. The host device opens and executes such file,
e.g., main.html, which in turn provides a graphical representation for
accessing remote files or for controlling an application on wireless
communicator 100. File content and HTML links are changed dynamically
corresponding to changes in information or changes in status.

[0270] With the graphical user interface, control wireless communicator
100 is still performed by selecting, opening and writing to files, but
the interface is graphical, as coded in the HTML file or Java
application.

[0271] As described hereinabove, directory names on wireless communicator
100 may represent names of remote servers, and file names on wireless
communicator 100 may correspond to names of remote files and streams.
Reference is now made to FIG. 13, which is a simplified illustration of
an arrangement of clusters in an SD card file system in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 13 is a flash
memory in SSD card is represented as including 60 clusters, numbered
consecutively from 1 to 60, although clusters 31-60 are virtual,
non-physical clusters, as described in detail in what follows.

[0272] The physical memory on wireless communicator 100 is generally
partitioned into 512 byte sectors, and four sectors are combined to form
a 2 KB cluster, although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that other partitions are within the scope of the present invention.
In FIG. 11 the physical memory includes clusters 1-30. Information
regarding available clusters on wireless communicator 100 is maintained
in a file allocation table (FAT). For each cluster, two bytes are stored
in the FAT, as follows.

TABLE-US-00005
0, if cluster is empty
Next cluster in file, if cluster is not the last cluster in a
file
0xFFF8, if cluster is the last cluster in a file
0xFFF7, if cluster is a bad cluster

[0273] Clusters 1-6 of FIG. 13 correspond to an MP3 file that is stored as
a cluster chain. The first cluster in the chain is cluster 1, and the
chain continues through clusters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with cluster 6 being
the last cluster in the file, designated as an EOF (end-of-file) cluster.
The arrows drawn in these clusters represent pointers that advance
through the chain of clusters. Clusters 7-9 of FIG. 13 correspond to an
MP3 file that is currently being downloaded. As such, cluster 9 is not
necessarily an EOF cluster since additional downloaded data may require
additional clusters for storage. Similarly, clusters 26-28 correspond to
a second MP3 file that is currently being downloaded. Clusters 23 and 24
correspond to an MP4 file that is currently being downloaded. Clusters
10-22 and 25, 29 and 30 are free clusters. The cross-hatching in the
clusters of FIG. 13 corresponds to the type of cluster, as indicated in
the FAT legend.

[0274] Information about files is stored in a directory, designated "ROOT
DIRECTORY" in FIG. 13, having 32 byte directory entries generally
including the following information.

File name with 8+3 characters Type--regular file, directory File size
Date & time First cluster of file File names longer than 8+3 characters
are obtained by including additional entries for the same file with
special attributes. The directory itself is stored in the file system as
a regular file.

[0275] In an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 13,
the SD file system is extended by declaring the volume to be of a size
larger than the amount of available physical flash memory. Enhanced
function device 300 is not aware of the discrepancy since it never needs
to write to the excess volume.

[0276] The extended volume includes physical clusters, which are mapped to
real flash memory locations, and virtual clusters, which have addresses
beyond the available flash memory. Cluster 1-30 in FIG. 13 are physical
clusters, and clusters 31-60 are virtual clusters. Upon initialization,
the virtual clusters may be marked as bad clusters in the FAT, thereby
ensuring that enhanced function device 100 does not try to write to these
clusters. More generally, when host device is powered up, the flash
memory is reset by erasing all file entries in the root directory and
clearing the FAT. Physical clusters are marked as being free clusters,
and virtual clusters may be marked as being bad clusters.

[0277] Virtual clusters are converted to stub locations when they are
read. Stub locations include a directory list stub and a media stub, such
as an MP3 stub. A directory list stub includes a file with a place holder
message such as "file is currently being downloaded, download will be
complete within xx seconds", as described hereinabove. A virtual cluster
is mapped to an appropriate stub location in the flash memory in such a
way that distinct virtual clusters correspond to distinct stub files.

[0278] Clusters 31 and 37 in FIG. 13 are directory list stubs. Clusters
44-46, clusters 50-52 and clusters 59-60 are media stubs. Media stubs are
cluster chains that end at an EOF cluster. Clusters 44-46 and clusters
50-52 correspond to an MP3 stub, and cluster 59-60 corresponds to an MP4
stub. Clusters 32-36, 38-43, 47-49 and 53-58 are marked as bad clusters.
It is noted that MP3 stubs are generally identical, since they generally
contain the same place holder message. More generally, media stubs for a
specific media type, such as MP3 stubs, JPG stubs or MP4 stubs, are
identical.

[0279] The number of virtual clusters that are defined equals N*M, where N
is the maximum number of concurrent stubs required, and M is the maximum
number of clusters for stub data. Typically, one duster is used for a
directory list stub, and 50 clusters, corresponding to 100 KB, are used
for a media stub. For simplicity, FIG. 13 is drawn with N=5 and M=6. In
practice, reasonable values for N and M are 256 and 64, respectfully, and
accordingly the number of virtual clusters is 2 14. As such, the virtual
clusters require 32 KB for their FAT entries.

[0280] A portion of the flash memory, designated in FIG. 13 as "STUB
STORAGE AREA", that contains M clusters is used to stub file data and is
not mapped to the file system. Only SD controller 112 can access this
storage area of the flash memory. The M clusters in the stub storage area
are hidden clusters; specifically, they are physical clusters in the
flash memory but they are not mapped directly on the FAT. When virtual
clusters are read, the virtual cluster locations are converted to hidden
cluster locations.

[0281] Stub files have valid directory entries, which point to virtual
clusters as the first file cluster. All subsequent clusters in the stub
files are also virtual clusters. Referring to FIG. 13, clusters 44-46,
clusters 50-52 and clusters 59-60 are cluster chains for stub files. Each
stub file points to a different virtual cluster, although they may
contain the same stub data. Consequently, SD controller 112 knows which
file to download based upon the virtual sector number requested by
enhanced function device 300. Specifically, the hidden sector number to
read from the stub storage area is V (mod 4M), where V is the virtual
sector offset inside the virtual sector area. The term 4M arises from the
4 sectors per cluster. More generally, if there are K sectors per
cluster, then the hidden sector number to read is V (mod K*M).

[0282] When a remote file or stream is downloaded, it is stored on
wireless communicator 100 in a FAT cluster chain, just as a local file is
stored. However, the directory entry for the file does not point to the
first cluster in the chain. A download map from virtual cluster number to
{file name, file type, pointer to file on remote server, first real
cluster} is used to maintain a list of all current stub files, including
files in stub mode and files in downloading mode. Links that can be
clicked on by a user have entries in the download map, along with a stub
file directory entry with a file type of the form DIRECTORY, MP3,
MP3_STREAM, or such other media type. When a file is finished being
downloaded, it is removed from the download map.

[0283] Shown in FIG. 13 is a download map with entries for two directories
and two MP3 files, corresponding to the stubs in the root directory. The
MP3 files being downloaded are currently stored in clusters 7-9 and
clusters 23 and 24.

[0284] Reference is now made to FIG. 14, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for downloading a file from a remote server to wireless
communicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. To supplement FIG. 14, reference is also made to FIGS.
15A-15D, which are snapshots of a user interface and a file system for a
simple example use case, during various stages of file download during
operation of the method of FIG. 14 in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. Each of FIGS. 15A-15D are divided into three
portions. The leftmost portion illustrates a user interface, the middle
portion illustrates directory entries and the download map, and the
rightmost portion illustrates the FAT. Thus, whereas FIG. 14 describes
the steps being performed, the accompanying FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate
states of the user interface and the file system during various ones of
the steps. The legends for the cross-hatching on the FATs in FIGS.
15A-15D are the same as the legend provided in FIG. 13. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the file system illustrated
in FIGS. 15A-15D is simplified, in order to emphasize the workings of an
embodiment of the present invention.

[0285] Referring to FIG. 14, in general at step 1205, SD application 208
analyzes a downloaded directory file for new stub files to create. The
directory content is recursively searched by SD application 208. For each
file discovered a directory listing stub or media stub is created,
corresponding to the file type.

[0286] FIG. 15A corresponds to an initial stage wherein a user is browsing
a downloaded remote directory listing, as shown in the leftmost portion
of FIG. 15A. At this stage, the root directory has entries for two stub
directories; namely, a "jazz" stub directory at virtual cluster 31, and a
"rock" stub directory at virtual cluster 37. The root directory also has
entries for two local files; namely, a movie stored at clusters 1-6, and
a pop song stored at clusters 7-9. The download map has URL entries for
two remote directories; namely, a "jazz" directory at virtual cluster 31
has URL http://music.com/jazz, and a "rock" directory at virtual cluster
37 has URL http://music.com/rock.

[0287] Reference is now made to FIG. 16, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for generating a stub file in step 1205 of FIG. 14 in
accordance with the present invention. At step 1310, SD application 208
searches the virtual clusters in the FAT, such as clusters 31-60 in FIG.
15A, for the first free row; namely, the first row with clusters marked
as bad clusters. At step 1320 the first applicable cluster in the row
found at step 1310 is set as the first cluster of the stub file,
according to the type of stub file. Specifically, for the example FAT
shown in FIG. 13, the applicable cluster for directory list stubs is the
first cluster in the row, for MP3 stubs is the second cluster in the row,
and for MP4 stubs is the fifth cluster in the row. Such an arrangement
ensures that the different types of stubs correspond to different hidden
cluster in the sub storage area.

[0288] At step 1330, SD application 208 allocates additional virtual
clusters, as required for storing the stub file, and the additional
virtual clusters are chained to the first virtual cluster. Such virtual
cluster chains are shown in FIG. 13B as clusters 44-46 and clusters
50-52. Finally, at step 1340, SD application 208 modifies the directory
entry for the stub file, so that the first cluster of the stub file
points to the first cluster from step 1320, and so that the size of the
stub file matches the actual length of the stub file.

[0289] At step 1210, enhanced function device 200 refreshes and identifies
the newly-downloaded directory listing. At step 1215 a determination is
made whether a file is to be downloaded. If so, processing advances to
step 1225. Otherwise, processing ends.

[0290] As shown in FIG. 15A, the user clicks on the "jazz" directory.
Momentarily, a place holder message "downloading file list please wait"
appears on the user interface. The place holder message is stored in the
stub storage area, as shown in FIG. 13, in the hidden cluster
corresponding to cluster 31. In the meantime, enhanced function device
200 downloads the remote file list for the "jazz" directory, and displays
the list shown at the top of the leftmost portion of FIG. 15B. The list
contains two files; namely, a "benny goodman" MP3 file, and a "louis
armstrong" MP3 file.

[0291] At this stage, the root directory, includes a local directory for
the "jazz" directory at data cluster 13. A "jazz" directory is generated,
and includes entries for two stub MP3 files; namely, a stub MP3 file at
virtual cluster 44, and a stub MP3 file at virtual cluster 50. The
download map includes URLs for the remote "benny goodman" and "fouls
armstrong" files. The user clicks on "benny goodman" to initiate download
of that file.

[0292] Referring back to FIG. 14, in general at step 1220 enhanced
function device 200 issues a file read request to the SD file system. The
request is transmitted to SD driver 207. SD driver 207 determines from
the FAT, which appropriate cluster to read, and finds the cluster value,
which corresponds to a virtual cluster. Enhanced function device 200 is
unaware that the cluster value corresponds to a non-physical cluster, and
interprets the value as a legitimate cluster value.

[0293] At step 1225, SD driver 207 transmits the read request to SD slave
controller 112. SD driver 212 converts the virtual cluster value to a
virtual sector value, using a conversion of the form K*V+constant, and
issues a read request to the virtual sector. As above, the parameter K is
the number of sectors per cluster.

[0295] At step 1235, SD application 208 receives the event from SD slave
controller 112, and converts the sector value to a URL, or to another
such pointer to a file on a remote server, using the download map. SD
application 208 then issues an HTTP GET command, or such other download
command, to retrieve the remote file. This operation is performed only
once, when the first sector of the file is read.

[0296] At step 1240, SD driver 207 retrieves the stub data. Enhanced
function device 200 is unaware that this data belongs to a stub file. The
length matches the file length in the directory listing, to ensure
consistency. The data is displayed to the user, and includes a message
such as "file is currently being downloaded, download will be complete
within xx seconds". Generally, the message is refreshed by enhanced
function device 200. In circumstances where enhanced function device 200
does not refresh, the SD card forces a refresh every 2-3 seconds by a
refresh operation, or by a disconnect/connect operation using the SD
protocol.

[0297] Referring to FIG. 15B, in this embodiment the place holder message
"Please wait, file is downloading" from the stub file is played to the
user. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the place holder
messages may be displayed to a user as a still image or video clip, or
played as an audio file, or both. In one embodiment, the place holder
message is the same media type as the file that is corresponds to; i.e.,
audio messages are played when audio files are being downloaded, and
video messages are played when video files are being downloaded.

[0298] Referring to FIG. 15C, the file being downloaded is stored in
physical clusters 15, 16, 17, etc. This is reflected in the entry for the
"benny goodman" file in the download map, where cluster 15 is designated.

[0299] Referring back to FIG. 14, in general at step 1245 SD application
208 receives the real file content and stores it in the flash memory. The
file is downloaded via baseband modem 120. As it arrives, SD application
208 updates the download map for the file with the amount of data
received, and updates the first cluster in the cluster chain for the file
in the flash memory. Each cluster of the downloaded file is stored in a
free cluster in the flash memory, which is then marked as full. Thus it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as the file is
downloaded a regular file is generated in the FAT, but without a
directory item for the file. Instead, the first sector of the file is
stored in the download map.

[0300] At step 1250 enhanced function device 300 refreshes the file list.
At step 1255 a determination is made whether or not the download for the
file is complete. If not, processing returns to step 1245 where SD
application 208 continues to download the file. Otherwise, if the
download is complete then, at step 1260, SD application 208 marks the
last cluster of the downloaded file with an EOF.

[0301] At step 1265, SD application 208 points the first cluster of the
file to the downloaded data cluster chain. SD application 208 replaces
the directory entry for the file from the virtual cluster value to the
physical first cluster of the newly downloaded file. As such, the file
entry now points to a legitimate file. The file size is also changed, so
as to correspond to the received file length. The file is then removed
from the download map.

[0302] Referring to FIG. 15D, when enhanced function device 200 refreshes,
the user interface displays the new file, and the user listens to the
real Benny Goodman song. The downloaded file is now stored in clusters
15-21, and cluster 21 is marked with an EOF. The downloaded file now
appears as a local file in the "jazz" directory, and its entry is removed
from the download map.

[0303] Reference is now made to FIG. 17, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for playing a streamed file from wireless communicator 100 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 1410,
enhanced function device 200 accesses a media stub. At step 1410 the
stream data associated with the media stub begins downloading, and is
dynamically stored in physical file clusters as it arrives, such as file
clusters 7-9 in FIG. 13. SD application 208 waits until sufficient data
arrives to play a few seconds' worth of the media. Then, at step 1430, SD
application 208 links the downloaded file to the FAT. The file size is
reported as being extremely long. At step 1440, SD application 208
continues to write new clusters of data, as the stream if downloaded for
several more seconds. At step 1450, the FAT cluster link becomes
circular, and SD application 208 loops back to the first stored cluster
for the file.

[0304] In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 18, which is an
illustration of file streaming using a circular cluster cycle in the FAT
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
cross-hatched clusters in FIG. 18 correspond to the FAT legend provided
in FIG. 10.

[0305] Referring back to FIG. 17, at step 1460 a determination is made
whether or not the user has stopped listening to the stream. Such a
determination may be made by SD application 208, by identifying a lack of
access by enhanced function device 200 to the file clusters. If the user
has not stopped listening to the stream, then processing returns to step
1440 as more data is streamed. Otherwise, if the user has stopped
listening to the stream then, at step 1470, enhanced application 208
updates the FAT to point to a stub in the virtual memory, and frees up
all clusters that have been designated for the streamed file.

[0306] In addition to downloading of remote files to wireless communicator
100, application 208 may also upload files from wireless communicator 100
to a remote server, and store them in a designated directory. SD
application 208 may create a directory named "uploads" under the root
directory, when the file system of wireless communicator 100 is
initialized. The "uploads" directory is generated as a directory list
stub in the virtual storage area, and is includes a single data cluster.
The "uploads" directory is initially set as an empty directory.

[0307] Reference is now made to FIG. 19, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for uploading a file from wireless communicator 100 to a
remote server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
To supplement FIG. 19, reference is also made to FIGS. 20A and 20B, which
are snapshots of a user interface and a file system for a simple example
use case, during various stages of file upload during operation of the
method of FIG. 19 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 20A is divided into three portions. The leftmost portion
illustrates a user interface, the middle portion illustrates directory
entries and the upload map, and the rightmost portion illustrates the
FAT. FIG. 20B is divided into two portions. The left portion illustrates
directory entries and the upload map, and the right portion illustrates
the FAT. Thus, whereas FIG. 19 describes the steps being performed, the
accompanying FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate states of the user interface
and the file system during various ones of the steps. The legends for the
cross-hatching on the FIGS. 20A and 20B are the same as the legend
provided in FIG. 13. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the file system illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B is simplified, in
order to emphasize the workings of an embodiment of the present
invention.

[0308] Referring to FIG. 19, in general at step 1510, when enhanced
function device 200 is instructed to upload a file to a remote server, it
creates a new file in a virtual directory named "uploads". At step 1520,
SD slave controller 112 identifies a write request to the "uploads"
directory. SD slave controller 112 may identify such request, since
enhanced function device 200 issues the write request to a virtual
cluster number. SD controller then sends an event to SD application 208.

[0309] At step 1530, the host's write request is re-directed to a hidden
sector that holds the "uploads" directory listing content. SD application
208 recognizes that a new file is being created in the "uploads"
directory, and it allows enhanced function device 200 to write the file
content. At step 1540 the file content is written to the file created in
the "uploads" directory. The file itself is treated as a regular file in
the file system.

[0310] FIG. 20A corresponds to a stage where the upload directory listing
is displayed in the user interface, and a user has selected a file name
"recording.mp3" for upload. As shown in FIG. 20A, the root director-y has
an entry for a stub uploads directory located at virtual cluster 36. The
root directory also has an entry for the music file "recording.mp3",
which is stored at clusters 1-6.

[0311] FIG. 20B corresponds to a stage where the selected file is copied
to the physical storage area, and the upload process begins. Referring to
FIG. 20B, there is now an "uploads" directory with an entry for the file
"recording.mp3" having first cluster 7.

[0312] At step 1550, SD application 208 determines whether or to not
enhanced function device 200 has finished writing the file and has closed
the file. If not, processing returns to step 1540. If enhanced function
device 200 has closed the file, then at step 1560 SD application 208
initiates a communication session with the remote server, and at step
1570 SD application 208 sends the file content to the remote server.

[0313] At step 1580, SD application 208 determines whether or not the file
has been successfully delivered to the remote server. If not, processing
returns to step 1570. If the file has been successfully delivered to the
remote server, then at step 1590 the file is removed from the file system
and from the outgoing directory listing.

[0314] 3. Auto-Adaptation

[0315] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems
for maintaining a unified user interface look & feel when wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200. Using the
present invention, a user experiences the same-looking interface when he
switches from the enhanced function device configuration screen to the
wireless communicator configuration screen. Both screens have the same
look & feel, and wireless communicator 100 appears transparent to the
user and does not appear as a foreign device.

[0316] Using the present invention, wireless communicator 100 is aware of
the specific enhanced function device 200 with which it is pouched, and
adapts its screen graphics to parent user interface 270. As such, the
same user interface displays both the enhanced function device and the
wireless communicator configurations and a unified look & feel is
maintained.

[0317] The present invention is of particular advantage with multi-source
systems where many different types of wireless communicator 100 can be
pouched with many different types of enhanced function devices 200.
Methods of the present invention ensure that the user experiences a
homogenous look & feel in each enhanced function device 200, when he
navigates from the enhanced function device configuration screen to the
wireless communicator configuration screen.

[0318] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems
for on-line configuration of controlled software, which flexibly support
wireless communicator 100 pouched with one of multiple enhanced function
devices 200 yet retain the same operational control over wireless
communicator 100, and which adapt the look & feel so as to integrate the
wireless communicator control software in the enhanced function device
software environment in a homogeneous way. Enhanced function device 200
is used to configure the pouched system, and parent user interface 270 is
maintained as a fixed point of reference for the user. Adaptation to the
parent user interface 270 is carried out in wireless communicator 100.

[0319] The look & feel of a user interface relates to visual elements that
a user experiences when he interacts with the interface. The look & feel
includes inter alia:

[0329] Reference is now made to FIGS. 21A and 21B, FIGS. 22A and 22B, and
FIGS. 23A and 23B, which are displays of various configuration screens
for enhanced function device 200 and wireless communicator 100, pouched
together, wherein displays 185 and 285 are controlled so as to have the
same look & feel, in accordance so with an embodiment of the present
invention. The enhanced function device shown in FIG. 21A is a media
player, such as an MP3 player. Shown in FIG. 21A is a sample parent user
interface 270. The screen shown in FIG. 21A corresponds to the enhanced
function device configuration screen, before wireless communicator 100 is
pouched to enhanced function device 200, and the screen shown in FIG. 21B
corresponds to the enhanced function device configuration screen, after
wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200. It
is noted that both configuration screens have the same look & feel.
Specifically, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced
function device 200, the displayed font size, type and color remain the
same, and the screen size and background color remain the same.

[0330] In addition, the screen template is preserved for two "soft-keys"
281 and 282 and a bar 283 above them that includes their corresponding
function names. Soft keys are multi-function keys that use part of a
display to identify their function at any moment. Soft-keys are generally
located directly below the display. In FIG. 21A soft keys 281 and 282
correspond respectively to Vol. Up and Vol. Down functions, as indicated
by bar 283; and in FIG. 20B soft keys 281 and 282 correspond respectively
to Call and End functions, respectively, as indicated by bar 283.

[0331] The enhanced function device shown in FIG. 22A is a digital camera.
Shown in FIG. 22A is a sample interface for enhanced function device 200.
Again, in accordance with the present invention, the look & feel of FIG.
22B, namely, the wireless communicator configuration, is the same as that
of FIG. 22A, namely, the enhanced function device configuration. As may
be seen in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the look & feel of the configuration
interface includes a left panel 286 and a right panel 287. The left panel
286 is created by enhanced function device 200. When wireless
communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200, the left
panel may be altered by enhanced function device 200. Thus in FIG. 22B
the left panel includes a new control element 288 in the shape of a star,
for toggling between parent functionality mode and native functionality
mode.

[0332] Right panel 287 is controlled by enhanced function device 200 when
the parent functionality mode is running, and controlled by wireless
communicator 100 when the native functionality mode is running. In either
case, the content displayed in the right panel conforms to the look &
feel parameters for the host. The "look parameters" of right panel 287,
including inter alia the dimensions of right panel 287, its background
color, its font type, size and color, and its menu header and location,
are the same in FIGS. 22A and 22B. Similarly, the "feel" parameters of
right panel 287, including inter alia assignment of client options 1, 2
and 3 to corresponding host buttons and the jog dial options, are also
the same in FIGS. 22A and 22B.

[0333] The enhanced function device shown in FIG. 23A is a GPS navigator.
Shown in FIG. 23A is a sample interface for enhanced function device 200.
Again, in accordance with the present invention, the look & feel of FIG.
23B, namely the native wireless communication configuration, is the same
as that of FIG. 23A, namely the parent functionality configuration. It is
noted, for example, that the "X" remains in the top right corner when
wireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200.

[0334] More generally, reference is now made to FIG. 24, which is a
simplified block diagram of a system with a uniform interface for
configuring wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 24
is enhanced function device 200, with its pouching controller 210, its
display 285 and its optional power management subsystem 225. Enhanced
function device 200 has its own look & feel parameters 216 stored
therein. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
requisite font files are also stored with look & feel parameters 216.

[0335] Also shown in FIG. 24 is wireless communicator 100, with its
pouching controller 110, its optional display 185 and its power
management subsystem 125. Wireless communicator 100 also includes a
configuration program 114, which enables a user to select configuration
settings for wireless communicator 100.

[0336] Enhanced function device 200 and wireless communicator 100
communicate via respective pouch connectors 260 and 160 over a
communication channel. The communication channel may be a physical or a
wireless channel. Parent look & feel parameters 216 are transmitted by
pouch connector 260 over the communication channel, and received by pouch
connector 160. In turn, the parent look & feel parameters are transmitted
to configuration program 114, the transmission being controlled by
corresponding pouching controllers 110 and 120.

[0337] Configuration program 114 has a native look & feel. In accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, configuration program 114
adapts its look & feel accordingly, so as to conform to parent look &
feel parameters 216 of enhanced function device 200. Configuration
program 114 generates a graphics screen image that conforms to parent
look & feel parameters 216. The graphics screen image is transmitted to
pouch connector 160, and is further transmitted to pouch connector 260
over the communication channel. The graphics image is then transmitted to
display 285, for display to a user.

[0338] As the user interacts with the displayed graphics image and issues
successive commands, the commands are transmitted via the communication
channel back to configuration program 114, which generates successive
graphics screen images in response to the user commands. The successive
graphics screen images, based again on parent look & feel parameters 216,
are transmitted to display 285 for further display to the user.

[0339] Pouching controllers 110 and 210 control transmission of the
commands from enhanced function device 200 to wireless communicator 100,
and transmission of the graphics screen images from wireless communicator
100 to enhanced function device 200.

[0340] Reference is now made to FIG. 25A, which is a simplified flowchart
of a first embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration
interface for wireless communicator 100 so as to conform to the look &
feel of parent user interface 270 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The flowchart of FIG. 25A is divided into three
columns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who is
operating a multi-source system including enhanced function device 200
and wireless communicator 100. The middle column indicates steps
performed by enhanced function device 200, and the rightmost column
indicates steps performed by wireless communicator 100.

[0342] At step 1609 wireless communicator 100 adapts the look & feel of
its configuration program according to the parent look & feel parameters.
At step 1612 the wireless communicator configuration program generates a
configuration screen, in the form of a bitmap image, which conforms to
the look & feel of parent user interface 270.

[0343] At step 1615 enhanced function device 200 receives the bitmap image
of the configuration screen from wireless communicator 100, and at step
1618 enhanced function device 200 displays the bitmap image, which
conforms to the parent look & feel. As such, the user interface displayed
by enhanced function device 200 preserves a unified look & feel, even
when being used to configure wireless communicator 100.

[0344] It may thus be appreciated that enhanced function device 200
displays its own configuration options and wireless communicator 100
configuration options on the same screen, and with a common look & feel.
Enhanced function device 200 may display both configurations at the same
time, or may switch between the parent options and the native options,
but in each case the same visual user interface is presented to the user.

[0345] At step 1621 the user interacts with the system and issues a
command, the response to which may require a change in the display
screen. At step 1624 enhanced function device 200 sends to wireless
communicator 100 a notification of the user command. At step 1627 the
wireless communicator configuration program generates a new bitmap image
for a configuration screen, in response to the user command, as
appropriate. At step 1630 enhanced function device 200 receives the new
configuration screen, in the form of the new bitmap image, from wireless
communicator 100. Finally, at step 1633 enhanced function device 200
displays the altered screen, which again conforms to the look & feel of
the parent. The method then returns to step 1621, as the user continues
to interact with the system.

[0346] Reference is now made to FIG. 25B, which is a simplified flowchart
of a second embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration
interface for wireless communicator 100 so as to conform to the look &
feel of parent user interface 270, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The flowchart of FIG. 25B is divided into three
columns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who is
operating a multi-source system including wireless communicator 100 and
enhanced function device 200. The middle column indicates steps performed
by enhanced function device 200, and the rightmost column indicates steps
performed by wireless communicator 100. The method of FIG. 25B uses a web
interface for a user to configure wireless communicator 100.

[0348] At step 1645 the wireless communicator configuration program
generates a web page, which conforms to the parent look & feel
parameters. At step 1648 wireless communicator 100 uploads the web page
to a URL on a web server. At step 1651 enhanced function device 200,
using a web browser installed therein, browses the URL and renders and
displays the web page.

[0349] Referring back to FIG. 24, in this second embodiment enhanced
function device 200 includes a web browser 295, which browses and renders
web pages stored in a web server 395. The web pages are generated by
configuration program 114 so as to comply with parent look & feel
parameters 216, and are uploaded to web server 395.

[0350] Proceeding now with FIG. 25B, at step 1654 a user who is viewing
the web page displayed at step 1651 issues a user command. At step 1657
enhanced function device 200 sends the user command to wireless
communicator 100. At step 1660 the wireless communicator configuration
program generates a new web page, in response to the user command, as
appropriate. At step 1663 wireless communicator 100 uploads the web page
to a URL on the web server. At step 1666 enhanced function device 200
browses the URL and renders and displays the new web page. The method
then returns to step 1654, as the user continues to interact with the
system.

[0351] Reference is now made to FIG. 25C, which is a simplified flowchart
of a third embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration
interface for wireless communicator 100 so as to conform to the look &
feel of parent user interface 270, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The flowchart of FIG. 25C is divided into three
columns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who is
operating a multi-source system including enhanced function device 200
and wireless communicator 100. The middle column indicates steps
performed by enhanced function device 200, and the rightmost column
indicates steps performed by wireless communicator 100.

[0354] At step 1684 a user who is viewing and interacting with the user
interface issues a command. At step 1687 enhanced function device 200
generates a new screen image, in response to the user command, as
appropriate, running the wireless communicator's configuration program.
At step 1690 enhanced function device 200 displays the new screen image.
The method then returns to step 1684, as the user continues to interact
with the system.

[0355] It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
methods of FIGS. 25A, 25B and 25C enable wireless communicator 100 to
display both parent configuration settings and native configuration
settings on enhanced function device screen 285, simultaneously, with a
uniform look & feel. As such, a user of the system experiences a
homogeneous interface, and it is transparent to the user that two
different standalone devices are operating.

[0356] Shown in TABLES IIA and IIB are example button key assignments for
a host mode and a client mode, respectively, within a multi-source
system. TABLES IIA and IIB correspond to FIGS. 21A and 21B, respectively,
where the enhanced function device is an MP3 player running in media
player mode. The buttons of the system are labeled B1-B15, together with
a TOUCH button on the touch screen displayed with a question mark. The
buttons have one assignment of functions in host mode and another
assignment of functions in client mode. Button B8, for example, is
assigned a play function in TABLE IA, and is assigned a function to enter
the numeral "8" in TABLE IIB.

[0357] Reference is now made to FIG. 26, which is an illustration of
button keys that have different key assignments for parent mode and
native mode, but a common look & feel user interface for setting the
wireless communicator and the enhanced function device configuration
parameters in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 26, buttons B1-B12 correspond to the four rows of three
buttons on the keypad, in the order from top left to bottom right.
Buttons B13 and B14 correspond to the soft keys 281 and 282 in FIGS. 21A
and 21B. Button B15 corresponds to a speaker button.

[0358] It is also noted that buttons B4, B6, B13 and B14 have dual
functions, corresponding to a short duration press and a long duration
press. Key-press and key-release events may be analyzed so as to
distinguish between long duration and short duration presses.

[0359] When running in parent mode, the key assignments correspond to
media player key assignments, as in TABLE IIA. However, when running in
native mode, the key assignments correspond to conventional cell phone
key assignments, as in TABLE IIB. It may be seen from TABLE IIA that in
parent mode, buttons B5 and B15 are not used, and long button presses are
not distinguished from short presses.

[0360] In accordance with the present invention, when wireless
communicator 100 is not pouched to enhanced function device 200, or when
wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200 but
the pouched system is running in parent mode, the parent key assignments,
such as those indicated in TABLE IIA, are used. Switching between parent
mode and native mode may be performed, for example, using a toggle switch
such as control element 288 in FIG. 22B. When wireless communicator 100
is pouched to enhanced function device 200, wireless communicator 100
sends enhanced function device 200 a list of user functions it supports,
such as the various functions indicated in TABLE IIB. Enhanced function
device 200 then assigns the functions to buttons, and sends wireless
communicator 100 the key assignments.

[0361] When wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function
device 200 and the pouched system is running in native mode, the graphic
image displayed on display 285, or a portion of the graphic image that is
assigned to wireless communicator 100, is generated by wireless
communicator 100 and transmitted to enhanced function device 200 for
display. When the user presses a button, the button press event is sent
to wireless communicator 100, and translated by wireless communicator 100
according to the key assignment for that button. If the user presses a
touch screen, then the X-Y coordinates of the press location are sent to
wireless communicator 100. In response, wireless communicator 100
generates a new graphic image, conforming to the parent look & feel
parameters that wireless communicator 100 received from enhanced function
device 200. The new graphic image is transmitted to enhanced function
device 200 for display, thus completing a cycle of user input and screen
display in response to the input. Generally, several such cycles are
performed in an interactive session.

[0362] When the key assignments distinguish between short and long
duration presses, as in TABLE IIB, enhanced function device 200 performs
the analysis to make the distinction and passes the result (long press or
short press) to wireless communicator 100. In an alternative embodiment,
enhanced function device 200 may send the key-press and key-release
events to wireless communicator 100, and wireless communicator 100 then
determines the type of press (long or short) from these events.

[0363] 4. Parent User Interface Package

[0364] Embodiments of the present invention concern a handset body that
can be dressed with a variety of physical exteriors, visual presentation
characteristics and audible presentation characteristics, according to a
user's tastes. Each such dressing, referred to herein as a "parent user
interface (UI) package", is a jacket housing to which wireless
communicator 100 is pouched, and each such dressing provides a different
all-around look & feel. The parent UI package may include inter alia the
physical appearance of the handset, the visual presentation of the
handset, and the audible presentation of the handset

[0365] Generally, a parent UI package has a common theme. For example, a
UI package may be themed to a celebrity, a TV show, or a soccer team.
There may be a Barbie Doll UI package, a Harry Potter UI package, a Star
Wars UI package, a Microsoft UI package, a Google UI package, etc. Thus a
UI package for "The Simpson's" may include a yellow colored device with
Simpson characters on the front and back, screen savers for Horner,
Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson, and ring tones with the Simpson's
theme song or other phrases or sounds related to the Simpson's.

[0366] The user interface package of the present invention uses storage
215, embodied as EEPROM, to store data describing the look & feel of a
handset, and a mailbox for communicating with wireless communicator 100
when it is pouched with the parent UI package.

[0367] Reference is now made to FIGS. 27A and 27B, which are illustrations
of handset body dressed up in jacket housings 200 with two different
parent user interface packages in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Each housing 200 includes a decorative shell, a
decorative display 285 and a decorative keypad 280. Each parent user
interface package includes a keypad mapping with buttons assignments, as
shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B.

[0368] As seen in FIGS. 27A and 27B, a parent UI package includes both
physical and software-related look & feel characteristics. Physical look
& feel characteristics relate to the exterior of a device, including
inter alia its size, color, shape, weight, and interaction functionality
such as keypad, touch screen, mouse and jog dial. Software-related look &
feel characteristics include inter alia display properties such as screen
resolution, background color or template, font properties, menu
appearance and screen saver, and audible properties such as ring tones
and dial tones.

[0369] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouching
controller 210 is coupled to display 285 using a display interface having
an 8-bit parallel bus, similar to an 8080 or a 6800 controller bus.
Pouching Controller 210 is coupled to input device 280 with a general
purpose I/O interface that monitors state, or provides matrix scanning
functionality, or both. Pouching Controller 210 is connected to wireless
communicator 100 via pouch connector 260.

[0374] keypad mapping, such as the button
assignments shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B that govern which key is mapped to
which combination in the matrix;

[0375] preferred screen saver image or
images; and

[0376] customization information for handset menu
presentation.

[0377] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouching
controller 210 implements a mailbox that is mapped to SD memory or SDIO
memory, or to I/O space. Wireless communicator 100 and pouching
controller 210 communicate via the mailbox. Pouching controller 210
notifies wireless communicator 100 that there are pending messages for
wireless communicator 100 in the mailbox, by issuing an interrupt using
either an SDIO defined in-band interrupt mechanism, or by using a
dedicated line on the pouch connector, in addition to the SD bus signals.
Examples of such messages are provided in TABLE III.

[0378] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same
wireless communicator 100 can be connected to various UI packages 200, as
shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, each of which presents a different look &
feel experience for the user.

[0379] In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will
realize that the present invention applies to other consumer electronic
devices, in addition to wireless communicator 100. Thus the present
invention applies inter alia to producing theme-based packages, including
decorative shells and user interfaces, for portable data assistants
(PDA's), portable media players, digital cameras, camcorders and portable
game stations. For each type of consumer electronic device, the parent UI
package includes a decorative shell, a decorative display for output, a
decorative keypad or other such device for input, EEPROM, a controller,
and a connector for pouching a modular device. In addition, the
controller includes a mailbox for communicating via messages between the
controller and the modular device.

[0380] 5. Bi-Directional Power Control

[0381] Embodiments of the present invention relate to power management and
control between wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device
200. Using special circuitry, each device 100 and 200 is able to turn the
other device on and off, by generating wakeup events at one device to
power the other device on or off, over a single connection line. A
circuit with a single connection line between wireless communicator 100
and enhanced function device 200 enables wireless communicator 100 to
turn enhanced function device 200 on and off, and enhanced function
device 200 to turn wireless communicator 100 on and off. The circuit uses
the single connection line for wireless communicator 100 to generate
wakeup events to power enhanced function device 200 on or off, and for
enhanced function device 200 to generate wakeup events to power wireless
communicator 100 on or off. A wakeup event is either a button press and
release, or a switch being closed and released thereby changing its
logical level from 1 to 0 and back to 1.

[0382] Reference is now made to FIG. 28, which is a simplified diagram of
a circuit 400 that provides bi-directional power control in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 28 is wireless
communicator 100 pouched to enhanced function device 200 via pouch
connectors 160 and 260. Also shown in FIG. 28 is wireless communicator
modem 120.

[0383] Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 are
battery-operated devices, and have their own batteries for power. Power
sources for wireless communicator 100 and enhanced is function device 200
are designated by VBAT_Comm and VBAT_Enhanced, respectively, in circuit
400. Typical voltage ranges for the batteries are 4.2V for a fully
charged battery, to 3.2V for a low battery. Circuit 400 uses an optional
voltage level shifter 126 to control the potential voltage gap between
power sources VBAT_Comm and VBAT_Enhanced. One of the device batteries
may be full charged at 4.2V, for example, and the other may be at the low
range of 3.2V.

[0384] Voltage level shifter 126 is powered from VBAT_Comm, and its output
level is based on VBAT_Comm. Specifically, logical bit 1 corresponds to
an output of VBAT_Comm, and logical bit 0 corresponds to an output level
of zero voltage. Voltage level shifter 126 also manages I/O levels of
wireless communicator 100, which may differ from the level VBAT_Comm.

[0385] Circuit 400 includes grounds to protect the I/O units of the two
devices from exposure to a high supply voltage, and to protect the
devices' power sources from being shorted to one another.

[0386] Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 are
assumed to have respective power management ICs 160 and 170 that power
them on and off when wakeup events occur. Additionally, wireless
communicator 100 and enhanced function to device 200 are physically
connected by a single line that enables each device to generate wakeup
events to power the other device on and off.

[0387] Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 are
powered on and off independently; i.e., wireless communicator 100 is able
to be turned on when enhanced function device 200 is turned on or off,
and enhanced function device 200 is able to be turned on when wireless
communicator 100 is turned on or off. Moreover, circuit 400 of FIG. 28
enables wireless communicator 100, when it is turned on, to turn enhanced
function device 200 on and off; and enables enhanced function device 200,
when it is turned on, to turn wireless communicator 100 on and off.

[0388] In an embodiment of the present invention, enhanced function device
200 includes an internal watchdog timer which is used to turn on wireless
communicator 100 after a predefined period of time.

[0389] Circuit 100 includes two on/off buttons, 127 and 227, and two
on/off switches, 128 and 229, which cause each of wireless communicator
100 and enhanced function device 200 to power the other on or off.
Buttons 127 and 227 are physical buttons that can be activated by a user.
Switches 128 and 228 are electronic switches that are inaccessible to the
user. Instead, switches 128 and 228 are controlled by respective
controllers 120 and 205.

[0390] Circuit 400 provides simultaneous and non-simultaneous power on/off
control. Use of switch 128 to turn enhanced function device 200 on or
off, does not affect regular operation of wireless communicator 100 and,
vice versa, use of switch 228 to turn wireless communicator 100 on or
off, does not affect regular operation of enhanced function device 200.

[0391] Specifically, when operating alone, wireless communicator 100 is
turned on and off by button 127. When button 127 is pressed to turn on
wireless communicator 100, a wakeup event is detected in its power
management system 125. When wireless communicator is pouched to enhanced
function device 200, button 127 is generally physically inaccessible, and
wireless communicator 100 can only be turned on simultaneously with
enhanced function device 200, via switch 128, button 227 or switch 228.

[0392] Similarly, when operating alone, enhanced function device is turned
on and off by button 227. When button 227 is pressed to turn on enhanced
function device 200, a wakeup event is detected in its power management
system 225. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced
function device 200, enhanced function device 200 can be turned on
asynchronously by button 227, and can also be turned on synchronously
with wireless communicator 100, via switch 228.

[0393] If enhanced function device 200 is a jacket device, instead of a
host device, wireless communicator 100 is turned on and off via switch
228 on enhanced function device 200, which generates a wakeup event for
power management system 125.

[0394] Power off events are generally reported to modem 120 and enhanced
function device host controller 205 before each respective device is
turned off. In a embodiment of the present innovation When button 227 is
used to turn off one or both of wireless communicator 100 and enhanced
function device 200, button 227 to must be pressed for a long press. The
time duration of a press of button 227 is calculated in software, by host
controller 205, generally via telemetries that host controller 205
receives from enhanced function device power management subsystem 225.

[0395] Similarly, when wireless communicator 100 is not pouched to
enhanced function device 200, button 127 is accessible, and may be used
to turn wireless communicator 100 on and off. The time duration of a
press of button 127 is calculated in software, by modem 120, generally
via telemetries that modem 120 receives from host power management
subsystem 125.

[0396] In an embodiment of the present invention pouching controllers
within both wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200,
are responsible for performing on/off events instead of modem 120 and
power management system 225 and host controller 205.

[0397] TABLE IV summarizes an embodiment of the simultaneous and
non-simultaneous power on/off control enabled by button 227, and switches
127 and 227, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced
function device 200.

TABLE-US-00010
TABLE IV
Power on/off control when wireless communicator 100 is pouched to
enhanced function device 200
Before wakeup event After wakeup event
Enhanced Commu- Enhanced Commu-
device nicator device nicator
(200) State (100) state Wakeup event (200) State (100) state
Off Off Button 227 pushed On On
On Off Switch 228 activated On On
Button 227 pushed Off Off
Off On Button 227 pushed On On
On On Switch 228 activated On Off
Button 227 pushed Off Off

[0398] TABLE IV indicates that when switch 228 is activated to turn off
wireless communicator 100, enhanced function device 200 remains on. In
such case enhanced function device 200 turns itself off in a different
manner, as appropriate, not using switch 228.

[0399] Circuit 400 is designed with grounds to protect the I/O units of
the two devices from exposure to a high supply voltage, and to protect
the devices' power sources from being shorted to one another. Circuit 400
uses voltage level shifter 126 to manage the potential voltage gap
between power sources of the two devices. One of the device batteries may
be full charged at 4.2V, for example, and the other may be at the low
range of 3.2V. Voltage level-shifter 126 also manages I/O levels of the
devices, which may differ from the level of VBAT_Comm.

[0400] An advantage of circuit 400 is that it uses a single connection
line between wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200,
for carrying wakeup signals.

[0401] In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will
realize that some power management systems have two input signals for
waking up a device. In such case, the on/off button of a device may be
connected to one of its power management inputs, with the other power
management input being used for a remote wakeup signal coming from
another device.

[0402] 6. Bi-Directional Battery Charging

[0403] Embodiments of the present invention relate to battery supply and
battery charging of wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function
device 200. Each device 100 and 200 has its own rechargeable battery and
internal battery charger, and the coupling enables the battery of one
device to supply power to the other device, and to charge the other
device's battery. Using the present invention, optimized logic for
controlling power supply and battery charging of the pouched devices,
provides extended operational time.

[0404] The optimized logic decides when to supply battery power from one
battery to the other device, and when to charge one battery from the
other, based on the voltages of the two batteries, and based on the
operational modes of the two devices 100 and 200.

[0405] The present invention applies generically to a wide variety of
electronic devices that use single or dual input battery chargers,
voltage boosts, and USB chargers to power manage their electrical
components.

[0406] Referring back to FIG. 6, power management subsystem 125 of
wireless communicator 100 includes circuitry for a battery charger, shown
as element 124 in FIGS. 28 and 30. Battery charger 124 includes a power
management integrated circuit. In accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, battery charger 124 supports fixed current and fixed
voltage operational modes, and is capable of measuring voltage and
current. Battery charger 124 is controlled by modem 120.

[0407] Referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, power management subsystem 225
of enhanced function device 200 includes circuitry for a battery charger,
shown as element 224 in FIGS. 28 and 30. In accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention, battery charger 224 supports both a fixed
voltage mode and a fixed current mode. Battery charger 224 independently
controls internal current and voltage of enhanced function device 200.

[0408] Reference is now made to FIG. 29, which is a simplified block
diagram of bi-directional battery charging for a simple enhanced function
device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Shown in FIG. 29 are wireless communicator modem 120, battery charger 124
and battery 145. Battery charger 124 is a dual input charger. A first
input is connected to USB connector 155 for a USB charger 156, and a
second input is connected to the output of a voltage boost 123.

[0409] Also shown in FIG. 29 are host controller 205, battery charger 224,
and battery 245. Battery charger 224 is a single input charger, with its
input connected to USB connector 255 for a USB charger 256.

[0411] Modem 120 is able to track the voltage on battery 245, either by
directly measuring a battery pin on pouch connector 160, or by receiving
notifications from battery charger 224 via pouch connectors 160 and 260.

[0412] In an embodiment of the present invention pouching controllers 110
and 210 report the notification to the modem 120.

[0413] Voltage boost 123 receives a standard battery voltage as input and
generates as output a minimal charging voltage of battery charger 124.
Typical input to boost 123 is in the range 2.7V-4.2V, and typical output
is 4.7V. When enabled, boost 123 up-converts its input voltage. When
disabled, boost 123 simply passes its input voltage through to its
output, minus any internal voltage drop. Preferably Boost 123 is enabled
by modem 120 via an enable signal. The input of boost 123 is connected to
a pin of pouch connecter 160, such that when wireless communicator 100 is
pouched to enhanced function device 200, boost 123 has a direct
connection to battery 245.

[0414] In an embodiment of the present innovation boost 123 is not used
and battery 245 is directly connected to battery charger 124 via pouch
connector 160 while wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced
function device 200.

[0415] The system of FIG. 29 applies advantageously to simple enhanced
function devices 200, which have limited power consumption, lower than a
threshold current, typically 500 mA. In such case, battery 145 supplies
current to the electronic components of device 200 through pouch
connector 160.

[0416] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
bi-directional battery charging diagram in FIG. 29 applies to a general
setting whereby a mobile device can be docked to an accessory device. The
present invention may be used advantageously for bi-directional battery
charging for general electronic devices that include controllers,
rechargeable batteries, boosts and battery chargers as shown in FIG. 29.

[0417] Reference is now made to FIG. 30, which is a summary of
bi-directional battery charging logic for the hardware of FIG. 29, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the notation
of FIG. 30 wireless communicator 100 is referred to as a standalone (SA)
device, and enhanced function device 200 is referred to as a jacket
(JKT), into which wireless communicator 100 can be pouched.

[0418] FIG. 30 is divided into six columns. The first column refers to a
state of the SA battery, and the second column refers to a state of the
jacket battery. Referring to FIG. 30, the following notation is used in
these two columns.

[0419] cc is the charging current for the SA
battery. CC should conform to the maximal charging current authorization
set by the JKT, and is typically between 200 mA-500 mA. For example, if
the SA battery has a charge of 500 mAh, charging with a current greater
than 500 mA may be harmful to the battery.

[0420] JKT is the voltage of
the JKT battery.

[0421] SA is the voltage of the SA battery.

[0422] STBC
is the average standby current of the SA device. STBC is typically
between 5 mA-50 mA.

[0423] Vc is the voltage drop across the SA boost,
the SA battery charger and the SA battery, when being charged with charge
CC. Vc is typically approximately 0.3V and corresponds to 50%-100% of the
SA battery capacity.

[0424] Vh is the maximal voltage to which the SA
battery is charged when being charged from the JKT battery. Vh is
typically between 3.7V-4V corresponding to approximately 50% capacity of
the SA to battery.

[0425] Vl is the minimal voltage for the SA battery,
below which charging from the JKT is forced. Vl is typically between
3.4V-3.5V corresponding to approximately 10% capacity of the SA battery.

[0426] Vm is the minimal voltage for the JKT battery, below which
charging from the SA device is forced. Vm is typically between 3.4V-3.5V
corresponding to approximately 10% capacity of the JKT battery.

[0427] The third column in FIG. 30 refers to the mode in which the SA
device is operating. There are three operational modes for the SA device,
as follows:

[0428] I. High Current Consumption.

[0429] This mode occurs when the SA device is active and transmitting
between the SA device and a base transceiver station (BTS). In this mode
the SA has a typical current consumption greater than 100 mA, with peak
currents possibly greater than 1 A, depending on power requirement
factors, such as the distance of the SA device from the BTS. Using the
JKT battery to supply the SA device is undesirable in this mode, due to
the high peak currents. Transfer of such high current over pouch
connectors poses difficult requirements on the quality and current drive
of the JKT battery, boost current and charger current, resulting in
increased cost and size of the hardware. Charging in this mode is limited
to fixed current, since fixed voltage charging draws peak currents from
the JKT, which is undesirable.

[0430] II. Standby Current Consumption.

[0431] This mode occurs when the SA device is not communicating with the
BTS. In this mode the SA device has a typical current consumption less
than 100 mA, and no peak currents above 100 mA. Such current levels are
suitable for supply from the JKT battery, and do not impose limitations
on charging.

[0432] III. Shutdown.

[0433] In this mode the SA device is shutdown and has negligible current
consumption.

[0434] The fourth column in FIG. 30 refers to the mode of charging the
batteries. There are five charging modes, as follows:

[0435] I. No Charge.

[0436] The SA battery supplies all SA current. Efficiency is high, since
no extra conversion is applied. The SA battery is being depleted during
this mode.

[0437] II. Supply from JKT Battery.

[0438] In this mode, the JKT battery supplies current. Efficiency is lower
than in the No Charge mode, due to voltage drop on the SA boost and SA
charger, but in general this mode is efficient and preserves power of the
SA battery for standalone operation of the SA device.

[0439] III. Supply from SA and JKT Battery.

[0440] In this mode, when there are peaks, the current is drawn from both
the SA and the JKT battery. When there are not peaks, the current is
drawn from the JKT battery alone. Current peaks are prevalent in many
wireless communication systems, including inter alia Global System for
Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio System (GPRS), Code
Division Multiple-Access (CDMA), and Integrated Digital Enhanced Network
(IDEN). For the GSM system, peaks occur due to time division multiplexing
and are caused by time slots usage.

[0441] IV. Charge from JKT Battery.

[0442] In this mode the JKT battery charges the SA battery. This mode is
inefficient, in some circumstances possibly less than 50% efficiency. If
the SA boost is enabled, the efficiency is even lower, by approximately
10%. When the JKT battery is empty, charging from the JKT battery is
disabled.

[0443] V. Charge from SA Battery.

[0444] In this mode the SA battery charges the JKT battery. This mode is
inefficient, in some circumstances possibly less than 50% efficiency. If
the JKT boost is enabled, the efficiency is even lower, by approximately
10%.

[0445] The fifth column in FIG. 30 refers to enablement of disablement of
the SA boost. The sixth column in FIG. 0 refers to the SA charger.

[0446] The logic in FIG. 30 is implemented as programming logic for SA and
JKT battery chargers and SA boost, to optimize their operation. The logic
in FIG. 30 prescribes columns 4-6 (charging mode, SA boost enablement and
SA charger) in terms of columns 1-3 (SA battery voltage, JKT battery
voltage and SA operational mode). For example, referring to the first two
rows in FIG. 30, if JKT>SA>Vh and if the SA device is in Standby
Current Consumption mode, then the charging mode is set for the JKT
battery to supply current to the SA device, the SA boost is disabled, and
the SA charger is set to fixed voltage level. If instead the SA device is
in High Current Consumption mode, then the charging mode is set for both
the SA and JKT battery to supply current to the SA device, and the SA
charger is set to fixed current level. The logic in FIG. 30 optimizes
usage of the SA and JKT batteries, in order to provide extended operation
time for SA device in combination with the JKT, and in standalone mode;
and in order to facilitate charging the SA battery from JKT.

[0447] Reference is now made to FIG. 31, which is a simplified block
diagram of bi-directional battery charging for a complex enhanced
function device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Shown in FIG. 31 are controller 105, battery charger 124 and
battery 145. Battery charger 124 has a dual input. A first input is
connected to USB connector 155 for a USB charger 156, and a second input
is connected to the output of voltage boost 123.

[0448] Also shown in FIG. 31 are host controller 205, battery charger 224,
and battery 245. Battery charger 224 has a dual input. A first input is
connected to USB connector 255 for a USB charger 256, and a second input
is connected to the output of a voltage boost 223. Battery charger 224 is
a hardware-based charging controller that controls charging, including
constant current charging and constant voltage charging, based on its
input voltage levels and its output HST battery status.

[0450] modem 120 is able to track the voltage on battery 245, either by
directly measuring a battery pin on pouch connector 160, or by receiving
notifications from battery charger 224 via pouch connectors 160 and 260.

[0451] Voltage boosts 123 and 223 receive standard battery voltage as
input and generate as output a minimal charging voltage of battery
charger 124 and battery charger 224, respectively. Typical inputs to
boosts 123 and 223 are in the range 2.7V-4.2V, and typical outputs are
4.7V.

[0452] When enabled, boosts 123 and 223 up-convert their input voltages.
When disabled, boost 123 simply passes its input voltage through to its
output, minus any internal voltage drops. When disabled, boost 223 blocks
its input voltage from going out as output.

[0453] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, controller
205 enables and disables battery charger 224, and boost 223 operates
similarly to boost 123; namely, when disabled, boost 223 passes its input
voltage through to its output, minus any internal voltage drops.

[0454] Boost 123 is enabled by modem 120 via an enable signal. The input
of boost 123 is connected to a pin of pouch connecter 160, such that when
wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200,
boost 123 has a direct connection to battery 245. Similarly, boost 223 is
enabled by host controller 205 via an enable signal. The input of boost
223 is connected to a pin of pouch connector 260, such that when pouched
to wireless communicator 100, boost 223 has a direct connection to
battery 245.

[0455] In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention,
controller 205 enables and disables battery charger 224, and boost 223 is
eliminated. Instead of enabling and disabling a voltage boost, controller
205 enables battery charger 224 when charging is desired, and disables
battery charger 224 when charging is not desired.

[0456] The system of FIG. 31 applies advantageously to complex enhanced
function devices 200, which have current consuming components above a
threshold current, typically 500 mA. For such devices, it is impractical
to supply their current from battery 145. Such current would require too
much draw from battery 145, and would be too high for transfer over pouch
connectors 160 and 260. Instead, battery 245 supplies current for the
components of enhanced function device 200.

[0457] As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 29, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bi-directional battery
charging diagram in FIG. 31 applies to a general setting whereby a mobile
device can be docked to an accessory device. The present invention may be
used advantageously for bi-directional battery charging for general
electronic devices that include controllers, rechargeable batteries,
boosts and battery chargers as shown in FIG. 31.

[0458] Reference is now made to FIG. 32, which is a summary of
bi-directional battery charging logic for the hardware of FIG. 31, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As with FIG. 30,
in the notation of FIG. 32 wireless communicator 100 is referred to as a
standalone (SA) device, and enhanced function device 200 is referred to
as a host (HST) device, into which the SA device can be pouched. The
notation indicated above for FIG. 30 applies to FIG. 32 as well, with HST
being used for the docking device instead of JKT.

[0459] The logic in FIG. 32 is implemented as programming logic for SA and
HST battery chargers to optimize their operation. FIG. 32 uses the same
six columns as FIG. 30, with an additional column for indicating
enablement/disablement of the HST charger and boost. The logic in FIG. 32
prescribes the settings in columns 4-7 (charging mode, SA boost
enablement, SA charger, HST charger and boost) based on the states in
columns 1-3 (SA battery voltage, HST battery voltage and SA operational
mode). For example, referring to the first two rows in FIG. 32, if
HST>SA>Vh and if the SA device is in Standby Current Consumption
mode, then the charging mode is set for the HST battery to supply current
to the SA device, the SA boost is disabled, the SA charger is set to
fixed voltage level, and the HST charger and boost are disabled. If
instead the SA device is in High Current Consumption mode, then the
charging mode is set for both the SA and HST battery to supply current to
the SA device, and the SA charger is set to fixed current level. The
logic in FIG. 32 optimizes usage of the SA and HST batteries, in order to
provide extended operation time for SA device in combination with the
HST, and in standalone mode; and in order to facilitate charging the SA
battery from the HST.

[0460] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
distinction of JKT vs HST in the systems of FIGS. 29 and 31 and in the
logic of FIGS. 30 and 32 is merely for the purpose of clarity of
exposition. The system and logic of FIGS. 29 and 30 also apply to simple
host devices 200, in addition to jackets 200; and the system and logic of
FIGS. 31 and 32 also apply to complex jackets 200, in addition to host
devices 200. In general, the system and logic of FIGS. 29 and 30 apply to
devices (jackets or hosts) with limited power consumption; e.g., less
than 500 mA; and the system and logic of FIGS. 31 and 32 apply to devices
(jackets or hosts) with higher current consumption.

[0461] 7. Audio and USB Multiplexing

[0462] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a switching device
that routes analog audio signals and digital USB signals for wireless
communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200. The switching device
of the present invention includes circuitry that detects multiple
audio/USB configurations. Regarding audio configurations, the switching
device supports left and right audio signals for a headset, for stereo
speakers and for an earpiece. Regarding USB, the switching device
supports connection of a PC or a USB charger to wireless communicator 100
operating as a standalone device, and to wireless communicator 100
pouched with enhanced function device 200.

[0463] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when
wireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200,
enhanced function device 200 provides data regarding its audio
configuration to wireless communicator 100, the information including
inter alia the presence of mono or stereo speakers, and their gains, and
the presence of earpiece and microphone, and their gains. Wireless
communicator 100 provides signals to enhanced function device 200 via
pouch connector 160, the signals including inter alia headset L/R, D+/-,
audio L/R and microphone (elements L, R, D+/L, D-/R and mic of FIG. 33A).

[0464] Considering wireless communicator 100 both as a standalone device,
and as a device pouched to enhanced function device 200, twelve audio/USB
configurations are identified, as summarized in TABLE V.

[0465] Reference is now made to FIGS. 33A and 33B, which are simplified
diagrams of a switching circuit 500 that distinguishes between twelve
audio/USB configurations of TABLE V, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. Specifically, the detection methods and control
settings for supporting the twelve audio/USB configurations of TABLE V
are summarized in TABLE VI.

[0466] The values G1, G2 and G3 in TABLE VI denote different gain levels.
The headset amplifier is set to different gain levels, depending on the
type of speakers it has to drive. Thus a different setting is generally
required for headset connection, amplified jacket speakers and amplified
jacket earpiece.

[0469] a
first analog/digital switch 515 connected to D+ signal line 505, for
multiplexing an input D+ signal to an output USB data signal or audio
left signal, the multiplexed signal feeding into pouch connector 160;

[0470] a second analog/digital switch 520 connected to D- signal line
510, for multiplexing an input D- signal to an output USB data signal or
audio right signal, the multiplexed signal also feeding into pouch
connector 160;

[0471] a control signal line 525 for controlling the
switching between audio and USB outputs at switches 515 and 520;

[0472] a
headset left signal line 530 connected to power/audio subsystems 125/130
and to the output audio left signal of analog/digital switch 515;

[0473]
a headset right signal line 535 connected to power/audio subsystems
125/130 and to the output audio right signal of second analog/digital
switch 520;

[0474] a first USB signal line 540 connected to USB connector
155 and to the output USB data signal of analog/digital switch 515;

[0475] a second USB signal line 545 connected to USB connector 155 and to
the output USB data signal of analog/digital switch 520;

[0477] a third USB signal line 555 connected
to USB connector 155 and to headset microphone signal line 550;

[0478] a
headset detection line 560 for detecting connection of a headset to a
headset port; and

[0479] a USB detection line 565 connected to the
power/audio subsystems 125/130 and to USB connector 155, for detecting a
USB charger or a PC attached to USB connector 155.

[0480] Circuit 500 also includes an amplifier (not shown) for amplifying
the output audio left signal and the output audio right signal at gain
levels appropriate for (i) a headset jack 272 connected to enhanced
function device 200, (ii) left and right speakers 275 and 276 connected
to enhanced function device 200, and (iii) an earpiece 273 connected to
enhanced function device 200.

[0481] Circuit 500 is designed so that the same detection mechanisms are
used to detect direct connection of a charger to wireless communication
device 100 or to enhanced function device 200, and to detect amplified
enhanced function device speakers or amplified enhanced function device
earpiece. Generally, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched with
enhanced function device 200, access to the wireless communicator's
charger and the wireless communicator's audio connector is physically
blocked, being covered by enhanced function device 200.

[0482] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the wireless
communicator 100 is in a middle of a phone conversation, and detects
insertion into pouch of enhanced function device 200, it mutes its
embedded microphone to avoid disturbance on the other participant of the
voice conversation. The microphone is muted until the insertion is
complete and both pouch connectors 160 and 260 are fully mated, and the
adaption to interoperation is complete.

[0483] 8. SD Bridge Design

[0484] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bi-directional
data bus that connects a terminal A with a terminal B. The data bus may
be an SD or MMC bridge, wherein terminal A is generally connected to
enhanced function 200 device and terminal B is connected to wireless
communicator 100. The bridge of the present invention is capable of
determining signal direction without the need for external directional
signals, and without the need for decoding exact content of messages
being transmitted over the bridge.

[0485] In one embodiment, the present invention employs two data buffers,
a first buffer that drives signals in a data bus in a direction from a
terminal A to a terminal B, and a second buffer that drives signals in
the opposite direction. The buffers may be in an enabled or disabled
state. When a buffer is enabled, it drives the signal direction.

[0486] Special logic is introduced to determine when to enable and disable
each of the buffers, based on logical processing of sampled bits at
terminals A and B.

[0487] Reference is now made to FIG. 34, which is a simplified diagram of
an electrical circuit 600 that determines bus direction in bi-directional
SD and MMC signal lines in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Circuit 600 connects two terminals, A and B, and carries
signals in both directions; i.e., from A to B, and from B to A.

[0488] Generally, terminal A connects to enhanced function device 200,
which is an SD host, and terminal B connects to wireless communicator
100, which is an SD slave. In such case, there are multiple
bi-directional data lines D0-D3 and CMD. The data lines D0-D3 are
synchronized so that they change their signal directions simultaneously.

[0489] The voltages at terminals A and B may be the same, or may be
different. To accommodate different voltages at the terminals, circuit
600 includes two level-shifter buffers, 610 and 615, which drive signals
from A to B and from B to A, respectively. Level shifting generates
voltage drops across the buffers in order to drive the signal direction.
Each buffer has two states; namely, enabled and disabled. When buffer 610
is enabled, signal data is transmitted from A to B, and when buffer 615
is enabled, signal data is transmitted from B to A.

[0490] Circuit 600 also includes four data flip flop (DFF) modules;
namely, module 620 designated DFF_A, module 625 designated DFF_B, module
630 designated DFF_EnAB, and module 635 designated DFF_EnBA. Each DFF
module has an input value, an output value and a clock value. The output
of a DFF module delays the input by one clock count; i.e., a DFF module
captures the input signal at the moment of a rising clock edge, when the
clock goes high, and subsequent input changes to not influence the output
until the next rising clock edge.

[0491] Modules 630 and 635 are used to enable buffers 610 and 615,
respectively. Specifically, when DFF_EnAB.out=0, buffer 610 is enabled,
and when DFF_EnAB.out=1, buffer 610 is disabled. Similarly, when
DFF_EnBA.out=0, buffer 615 is enabled, and when DFF_EnBA.out=1, buffer
115 is disabled.

[0492] Circuit 600 also includes respective by-pass lines 640 and 645, so
that previous signal values A and B, denoted A_Delayed and B_Delayed,
respectively, are accessible, together with current signal values A and
B.

[0493] Circuit 600 includes four logical processing units, 650, 655, 660
and 665. Processing unit 650 has inputs A and A_Delayed; processing unit
655 has inputs B and B_Delayed; processing unit 660 has input
DFF_EnBA.out in addition to the data coming from processing unit 650 into
processing unit 660; and processing unit 665 has input DFF_EnAB.out in
addition to the data coming from processing unit 655 into processing unit
665. Operation of processing units 650, 655, 660 and 665 is described in
the discussion of FIG. 35 hereinbelow.

[0494] Circuit 600 includes two pull-up resistors, 670 and 675, pull the
circuit bus up to logical 1 when both sides of the SD or MMC link are not
driving signals.

[0495] Reference is now made to FIG. 35, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for determining bus direction in bi-directional SD and MMC
signal lines in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Specifically, FIG. 35 summarizes a portion of the logic for enabling and
disabling buffers 610 and 615 of FIG. 30.

[0496] The rationale for the logic illustrated in FIG. 35 is based on
three characteristics of SD and MMC buses; namely:

[0497] 1. The SD and
MMC bus D0-D3 and CMD lines have pull-up resistors 670 and 675 connected
thereto, which pull the bus up to logical 1 when both sides of the SD or
MMC link are not driving signals.

[0498] 2. Each SD and MMC transaction
on the D0-D3 and CMD lines begins with a start bit of logical 0 and ends
with a stop bit of logical 1.

[0499] 3. Since the SD and MMC buses
include direction transition, the side driving a signal stops driving a
bus 2 clock cycles before the opposite side starts driving the bus.

[0500] The logic of FIG. 35 begins at step 1705 where both buffers are set
to their-disabled states. At step 1710 the A and B signal values are
initialized to logical 0. Steps 1715 and 1720 are iterative steps that
save previous A and B signal values and sample new values.

[0501] As seen at steps 1725-1750, when one side of circuit 600, A or B,
is sampled to have a logical 0 input, circuit 600 enables the buffer in
the direction from that side to the opposite side, and locks the buffer
in the enabled state.

[0502] As seen at steps 1755-1775, circuit 600 disables the enabled buffer
when two consecutive logical 1 bits are detected. The event of detecting
two consecutive logical 1 bits may represent an end of transaction, or
may be part of a transaction. In the former case, both buffers are
disabled, and circuit 600 is ready to detect a next transaction, and
switch direction as required. In the latter case, the SD or MMC bus
remains in its correct logical level due to the pull-up resistors. Since
the previous bit was a logical 1, no delay in bus signal stabilization is
incurred, due to device and bus capacitance.

[0503] In order to avoid potential problems with transient conditions and
synchronization to the SD_CLK signal, an embodiment of the present
invention includes a sampling mechanism that delays transfer of bits from
one direction to the other direction by a single clock, as indicated at
steps 1720, 1735, 1750, 1770 and 1775 of FIG. 35. Such delays are
implemented by DFF modules 620, 625, 630 and 635 of FIG. 34, and do not
affect proper operation of the SD or MMC bus, since transaction starts
are determined by start bits, and not based on exact timing. Internally
in a transaction, the delay is fixed and thus no change to transaction
content occurs.

[0504] Reference is now made to the Verilog pseudo-code presented herein,
which summarizes one cycle of the logic for enabling and disabling
buffers 610 and 615 of FIG. 34. Logical processing units 650 and 660 are
used to evaluate the Boolean expression !(A & A_Delayed) &!DFF_EnBA.out,
and logical processing units 655 and 665 are used to evaluate the Boolean
expression !(B & B_Delayed) &!DFF_EnAB.out.

[0505] The logic of FIG. 35 applies to all bi-directional signals in an SD
or MMC bus. However, since the D0-D3 data lines change direction
simultaneously, it is only necessary to apply the logic of FIG. 35 to one
of these data lines. The buffer enable/disable signals derived for the
one data line suffices to control the buffers for the other three data
lines.

[0506] Reference is now made to FIG. 36, which is a sample simulation of
the Verilog code for A and B signals 110010101110111 and 0010111,
respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Each column in FIG. 36 represents one clock cycle. As may be seen in FIG.
36, the signal direction goes from A to B, and out A is a one clock delay
of A, for bits 0010101 and for bits 01. During the time Out A is used,
the buffer from A to B is locked (represented by logical 1), and the
buffer from 13 to A is unlocked (represented by logical 0). Signal
direction goes from B to A, and Out B is a one clock delay of B, for bits
00101. During the time Out B is used, the buffer from B to A is locked,
and the buffer from A to B is unlocked.

[0507] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although
detection of two logical 1 bits triggers circuit 600 to disable the
enabled buffer, as indicated in FIGS. 35 and 36, detection of three or
more logical 1 bits may be used instead to trigger the disabling.

[0508] It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
circuit 600 may be used as a component of a more complex circuit that
selectively connects terminal A with two terminals, B and C, or more than
two terminals. To this end, reference is now made to FIG. 37, which is a
simplified diagram of an electrical circuit 690 that determines bus
direction in multiplexed directional SD and MMC signal lines in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally,
terminal A is connected to a host device, and terminals B and C are
connected to slave devices.

[0509] As shown in FIG. 37, circuit 690 includes two sub-circuits, each
similar in operation to circuit 600. The elements of one of the
sub-circuits are labeled with numerals 610b-675b, and the corresponding
elements of the other sub-circuit are labeled with numerals 610c-675c.
Each of the sub-circuits is bi-directional, with one direction enabled
and the other direction disabled, at any moment.

[0510] Circuit 690 includes a B/C_SELECT signal line 680, for selecting
terminal B or terminal C. B/C_SELECT line 680 originates from a
controller for the host device connected to terminal A.

[0511] In distinction from logical processing unit 660 of circuit 600,
logical processing units 660b and 660c have four input lines. For each
logical processing unit, two of its input lines carry signals from the
sub-circuit in which the processing unit is located, one signal for
examining two previous bits in the enabled direction and the other signal
for examining a bit in the disabled direction. One of its input lines
carries a signal from the other sub-circuit, for examining a bit in the
disabled direction; and one of its input lines carries a signal from
B/C_SELECT line 680. Terminals A, B and C may have the same voltage
levels, or different voltage levels.

[0512] 9. Automated Consumer Electronic Appliance Reporting

[0513] Embodiments of the present invention enable automated generation
and submission of reports about consumer electronic appliances. The
reports may include technical information about an appliance, personal
information about the owner of the appliance, and information describing
the owner's usage of the appliance. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, generation and submission of reports is enabled by
pouching wireless communicator 100 to consumer electronic appliances.

[0514] The consumer electronic appliances supported by the present
invention are of many types, including inter alia cameras, media players,
computers, home entertainment systems, home appliances, kitchen
appliances, and electric tools.

[0515] The consumer electronic appliance generally includes storage that
stores technical and usage information about the appliance, and wireless
communicator 100 stores information about the owner of the appliance in
its storage 115. When pouched with an appliance, wireless communicator
100 automatically generates and sends reports about the appliance and
about the owner of the appliance and about the owner's usage behavior, to
one or more appropriate recipients, including inter alia sellers and
manufacturers of the appliance, and technical support centers.

[0516] Report generation and submission for an appliance may be
automatically initiated when one or more pre-designated events involving
the appliance occur, may be scheduled periodically, and may be manually
initiated either by the owner of the appliance or by a remote recipient
of the report.

[0517] Reports may be sent to recipients in the form of SMS messages, MMS
messages, e-mail messages, voice messages, or other such GPRS or IP
network messages. In addition, wireless communicator 100 may open voice
channels, thereby enabling owners of appliances to speak directly with
recipients.

[0518] The present invention applies to a wide variety of different types
of reports, including inter alia registration of appliances, maintenance
and diagnostic reports, and marketing-based consumer reports.

[0519] The present invention also applies to access control security,
whereby an appliance only operates if an authorized wireless communicator
100 is pouched therewith. Moreover, if the appliance is reported as being
missing or stolen, then it does not operate at all, even if an authorized
wireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith.

[0520] Further aspects of the present invention apply to jacket covers for
wireless communicator 100. Using the present invention, reports may be
automatically generated and submitted about jackets and their usages.

[0522] Reference is now made to FIG. 38, which is a simplified
illustration of an exemplary GSM communication network 700, within which
wireless communicator 100 transmits information about a consumer
electronic appliance to remote sites, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. Being an embodiment of an enhanced function
device, the appliance is denoted as enhanced function device 200 in FIGS.
38-40.

[0523] Communication network 700 is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
network. GPRS is a packet-switched service for the Global System for
Mobile Communications (GSM), similar to the Internet. GPRS provides
packet radio access for mobile GSM users. GPRS also supports Wireless
Application Protocol (WAP) services.

[0524] Appliance 200 be any of a wide variety of devices. Appliance 200
may be an entertainment device, including inter alia a home entertainment
center, a play station, a multimedia player, a television, an audio
system and a DVD player. Appliance 200 may be a communication device,
including inter alia a telephone, a fax machine and a cell phone.
Appliance 200 may be a piece of office equipment including inter alia an
office computer, and printer and a scanner. Appliance 200 may be a home
appliance including inter alia a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a stove,
a washing machine, a drying machine, an air conditioner. Appliance 200
may be a personal appliance including inter alia a personal computer, a
personal data assistant (PDA), an automobile, a treadmill and a camera.

[0525] Wireless communicator 100 communicates with a base transceiver
station (BTS) 715 via an over-the-air interface. Base transceiver
stations are components of communication network 700 that terminate the
over-the-air interface, over which subscriber traffic is communicated to
and from wireless communicator 100. Communication network 700 also
includes a base station controller (BSC) 720. Base station controllers
are switching modules that provide handoff functions and power level
control in base transceiver stations.

[0526] BSC 720 is controlled by a mobile switching center (MSC) 725. MSC
725 performs functions of a landline network switching node, including
search, signal path switching, and processing of supplementary services.
When a request is made for connecting to a subscriber in a landline
network, the request is forwarded by MSC 725 to the landline network over
a switching path.

[0527] BSC 720 controls the interface between MSC 725 and BTS 715, and, as
such, controls BTS 715 in call set-up, signaling, and use of radio
channels. BSC 720 also controls the interface between a serving GPRS
support node (SGSN) 730 and BTS 715.

[0528] SGSN 730 services wireless communicator 100 by sending or receiving
packets via a base station subsystem (BSS), and more specifically via BSC
720, in the context of GSM systems. SGSN 730 is responsible for delivery
of data packets to and from wireless communicator 100, within a service
area. SGSN 730 also performs packet routing and transfer, mobility
management, local link management, authentication and charging functions.

[0529] In order to accommodate a multitude of services, a provider of
communication network 700 stores various types of data. The provider must
know which subscribers are using communication network 700, and which
services the subscribers use. Subscriber profiles, such as the
International Mobile Subscriber Identify Number (IMSI), of GPRS
subscribers registered with SGSN 730, are stored in a home location
registry (HLR) 735. The owner of wireless communicator 100 is such a GPRS
subscriber.

[0530] To determine whether a subscriber is entitled to use communication
network 700, the network provider maintains an authentication center
(AUC) 735. Generally, AUC 735 includes algorithms and subscriber-related
encryption keys, which are used for authentication. AUC 735 determines,
inter alia, whether a subscriber has a valid service contract.

[0531] The provider of communication network 700 may optionally maintain
an equipment identity registry (EIR) 735, which includes details of
mobile transceivers permitted on the network. Generally, EIR 735 stores a
"white list", a "grey list" and a "black list". The white list includes
mobile phones that function reliably, the grey list includes mobile
phones that may be defective, and the black list includes mobile phones
which are either faulty or have been reported missing or stolen.

[0532] In order to establish a connection to a subscriber's mobile phone,
the network provider must determine where the subscriber is located and
whether his mobile phone is turned on. Such information is stored in a
visitor location registry (VLR) 740.

[0533] While GSM forms the underlying technology, SGSN 730 is a network
element introduced through GPRS technology. HLR/AUC/EIR 735 is also in
communication with a gateway MSC 745, which acts as a gateway to a
public-switched telephone network (PSTN) 750.

[0534] Another network element introduced in the GPRS context is the
gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 755, which acts as a gateway to Internet
760 and to an external server 765, respectively. External server 765 may
be used by a manufacturer of appliance 200, a seller of appliance 200, a
service provider for appliance 200, or a combination of the above.

[0536] In communication network 800, BSC 720 is in communication with a
packet control function (PCF) 805. In turn, PCF 805 is in communication
with a packet data serving node (PDSN) 810, which is part of a packet
core network (PCN) 815. A packet core network generally includes a
succession of interconnected routers, or such other communication nodes,
that carry Internet protocol (IP) data traffic.

[0537] PDSN 810 provides both mobility management functions, similar to
SGSN 730, and packet routing functions, similar to GGSN 755. PDSN 810
serves as a connection point between a radio access network and an IP
network, and manages point-to-point sessions between a mobile phone and
an IP address.

[0538] PCF 805 provides a relay from PDSN 810 to a mobile phone. PCF 805
tracks registration expiration, and ensure that sessions are renewed as
necessary. PCF 805 also controls available radio resources, and buffers
data received from PDSN 810 when radio resources are not available. PCF
805 also controls dormancy.

[0539] PCN 815 also includes a home agent (HA) 820. Generally, HA 820
manages roaming and handoff of mobile data. HA 820 is used for
registration of a mobile IP (MIP), and transfer of mobile packet data in
PDSN 810. Through tunneling, HA 820 transfers MIP data from a home
network to PDSN 810, and from PDSN 810 to the home network through a
reverse tunnel.

[0540] PCN 815 also includes an authentication, authorization and
accounting (AAA) server 825. Generally, AAA server 825 is responsible for
access control. AAA server 825 processes user requests for access to
computer resources and, for enterprises, provides authentication,
authorization and accounting services. Authentication is used to identify
subscribers. Authorization is used to manage policies and service
profiles that govern which resources and services a subscriber may
access, and to manage and distribute security keys. Accounting services
track usage of time and data resources, and manage billing. AAA server
825 interacts with network access and gateway servers, and with databases
and directories containing user information.

[0541] In communication network 800, MSC 725 is in communication with an
interworking function (IWF) 830. An interworking function provides an
interface between wireless data networks and data packet networks such as
Internet 760 or so corporate intranets, and also between wireless data
networks and wireline networks such as PSTN 750. The interworking
function converts and sends data to a data packet network or a wireline
network, based on the data type. Generally, IWF 830 includes modems or
data terminal adapters, or both, to convert data transmitted over a
wireless network to a format suitable for recognition and carrying by a
public telecommunications network.

[0542] Reference is now made to FIG. 40, which is a simplified
illustration of an exemplary IEEE 802.11b WiFi communication network 900,
within which wireless communicator 100 transmits information about
appliance 200 to remote sites, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Communication network 900 includes several components
of FIGS. 38 and 39; namely, wireless communicator 100, appliance 200,
Internet 760 and external server 765.

[0543] A wireless router 905 communicates with a modem 910, and modem 910
sends and receives data to and from Internet 760.

[0544] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although
FIGS. 38-40 illustrate operation of wireless communicator 100 in GSM
network 700, CDMA network 800 and WiFi network 900, the present invention
applies to other current and future technologies, including inter alia
packet-switched and circuit-switched technologies, and 3G technologies.

[0545] Referring back to FIG. 6, storage 115 includes information about
the owner of appliance 200, such as information INF-3 listed below in
TABLE V. Information INF-3 may include inter alia subscriber
identification module (SIM) information for wireless communicator 100.

[0546] Similarly, referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, storage 215 includes
technical and usage information about appliance 200, such as information
INF-1 listed below in TABLE VII.

[0547] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 and appliance 200 communicate with one another via a
pair of mailboxes within wireless communicator 100. Specifically,
pouching controller 110 includes two mailboxes, an outgoing mailbox that
is written to by base band modem 120 and read from by appliance 200, and
an incoming mailbox that is written to by appliance 200 and read from by
base band modem 120. Pouching controller 110 initiates an interrupt to
pouching controller 210 when base band modem 120 completes a write
operation to the wireless communicator's outgoing mailbox. Such interrupt
may be implemented as an SDIO interrupt on an SD bus, or as a dedicated
signal. Similarly, pouching controller 210 initiates an interrupt to base
band modem 120 when appliance 200 completes a write operation to the
wireless communicator's incoming mailbox.

[0548] It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
wireless communicator's incoming and outpoint mailboxes may be used for
direct transfer of data between wireless communicator 100 and appliance
200. In one embodiment of the present invention, each mailbox includes
512 bytes, of which the first two bytes are header bytes that store a
message type, and the remaining bytes store the message itself.

[0549] Wireless communicator's incoming and outgoing mailboxes may be
mapped to an SDIO register map on the modem side and on the appliance
side, respectively. Alternatively, wireless communicator's incoming and
outgoing mailboxes may be mapped to SD memory space. In such case an
arbitration algorithm is used to resolve conflicts when both appliance
200 and wireless communicator 100 try to access SD storage at the same
time.

[0550] Reference is now made to FIG. 41, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for automated reporting for appliance 200, using wireless
communicator 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 3705, a manufacturer of appliance 200 stores
information about the appliance, designated by INF-1, and contact
information for a recipient, designated by INF-2, in appliance 200
storage 215.

[0551] At step 1810, a consumer purchases appliance 200. At step 1815, the
consumer attaches wireless communicator 100 to appliance 200. When
wireless communicator 100 is attached to appliance 200, wireless
communicator 100 collects and monitors real-time information related to
operation and usage of appliance 200. In an embodiment of the present
invention, wireless communicator 100 stores details about the user,
designated by INF-3, in its local storage 115.

[0552] In an embodiment of the present invention; INF-3 may be stored in
SIM 190.

[0555] At step 1850 wireless communicator 100 prepares an appropriate
report for recipient 765, based on INF-1 and INF-3. At step 1855 wireless
communicator 100 sends the report to recipient 765 at the recipient's
address as specified in INF-2.

[0556] The report may be sent to recipient 765 in the form of an SMS
message, an MMS message, a voice message, a GPRS message, or such other
message transmitted by wireless communicator 100. Alternatively or in
addition, the report may be transmitted as an e-mail message over an IP
or alternate network. The report may be transmitted over a GDSM network,
as in FIG. 38, over a CDMA network as in FIG. 39, over a WiFi network as
in FIG. 40, or via WIMAX communication.

[0557] Steps 1815-1855 of FIG. 41 are summarized in the following
simplified pseudo-code.

[0559] Generally, appliance information, INF-1, is controlled by the
manufacturer or seller of the appliance, and is stored in the appliance
itself. Appliance information, INF-1, may be updated by the manufacturer
or seller up to the time when the appliance is sold. In another
embodiment of the present invention, some or all of appliance
information, INF-1, may be manually entered. Such information may be
attached to or printed on the appliance, for reference.

[0560] Generally, owner information, INF-3, is controlled by the owner of
appliance 200, and is stored in wireless communicator 100. Alternatively,
some or all of owner information, INF-3, may be accessible on a network
such as the Internet. In such case, wireless communicator 100 accesses
the owner information from the network, prior to sending the report to
recipient 765 at step 1850. In another embodiment of the present
invention, some or all of owner information, INF-3, may be manually
entered.

[0561] The usage-related information listed in TABLE VII may include a
variety of present and past usage information. Such usage-related
information includes inter glia,

[0577] Reporting step 1855 may be performed either while wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200, or while wireless
communicator 100 is not pouched with appliance 200, or both. When
wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200, automated
reporting may be event driven. Events that may initiative the reporting
include inter alia

[0578] Attachment of the wireless communicator to
the appliance

[0579] Detachment of the wireless communicator from the
appliance

[0580] Performing a device-specific function, e.g., begin
listening to a song on an audio player

[0581] Appliance is turned on

[0582] Appliance is turned off

[0583] Wireless Communicator is pouched
with the appliance for the first time

[0584] Wireless communicator 100 may generate and save a usage history log
in the wireless communicator storage 115 or in the appliance storage 215.
Wireless communicator 100 may generate and save a history log for a
plurality of appliances. Information from the history log can be sent
periodically to the recipient, such as daily or weekly.

[0585] Reporting step 1855 may be performed in real-time, or at a later
time via a PC or via GPRS. Reporting step 1855 may be initiated by the
owner of appliance 200. For example, the owner may initiate generating a
report and submitting the report to a service provider, if appliance 200
is malfunctioning.

[0586] Reporting step 1855 may be initiated by software or firmware
running on appliance 200 or on wireless communicator 100. Such software
or firmware initiated reporting may occur as a one-time event, or as a
recurring event.

[0587] Reporting step 1855 may be initiated remotely over a network. For
example, recipient 765 may initiate generating a report and submitting it
to the recipient.

[0588] Alternatively or in addition to step 1855, wireless communicator
100 may open a voice channel for the user of appliance 200 and the
recipient to speak with one another, or to leave voice messages for one
another. Thus, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance
200 for the first time, the owner of appliance 200 and the recipient may
be connected via a voice channel. The recipient may thereby introduce the
owner to operation of appliance 200, assist the owner in configuring
appliance 200, and offer the owner of CE appliance 200 a tutorial. In
addition, incoming voice messages may be saved in a voice mailbox within
wireless communicator 100.

[0589] As described hereinabove, wireless communicator 100 may have one or
more jackets 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, distinct
jackets 200 of wireless communicator 100 have distinct identification
codes. The identification code of a jacket 200 may include some or all of
information, INF-1. In this embodiment, the jacket identification code
may be reported to the recipient at step 1855.

[0590] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
reporting step 1855 may advantageously use a user-agent header, which
prefaces transmissions from wireless communicator 100. User-agent headers
are text strings that are transmitted by a device, such as wireless
communicator 100, via an HTTP header, to identify the device that is
sending data. User-agent headers generally include a wireless device
model and manufacturer. User-agent headers may also include additional
information such as the device's operation system version, browser
version and Java capabilities. Examples of user-agent headers are:

[0591] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
user-agent headers are modified according to capabilities of appliance
200, so that recipient 765 may identify content and services that
appliance 200 supports. User-agent headers are also modified according to
properties of the wireless communicator's jacket, so that recipient 765
may identify the jacket. The user-agent headers are modified in the HTTP
header upon pouching of wireless communicator 100 with appliance 200, or
upon pouching of wireless communicator 100 with its jacket.

[0592] Wireless communicator 100 also uses a user-agent profile (UAProf).
Specifically, wireless communicator 100 sends a universal resource
identifier (URI) with a link to its UAProf, within an HTTP header or a
Web Service Provider (WSP) header. The UAProf resides on the
manufacturer's web site--either the manufacturer of wireless communicator
100 or the manufacturer of appliance 200 or the manufacturer of jacket
200. The UAProf is maintained by the manufacturer, and is unique per
communicator/appliance combination and per communicator/jacket
combination and per software version. The URI is updated when a UAProf
parameter value is changed.

[0593] The system and method of the present invention illustrated in FIGS.
38-41 may be used advantageously in many application areas where
automated reporting is useful, including inter alia:

[0594] medical reports;

[0595] police reports;

[0596] insurance reports;

[0597] driver and automobile safety reports;

[0598] taxi cab reports;

[0599] credit card reports;

[0600] ATM card reports;

[0601] registration of CE devices;

[0602] diagnostics and maintenance;

[0603] software/firmware updates;

[0604] warranties and guarantees;

[0605] access control security;

[0606] offer of services;

[0607] time-stamping;

[0608] advertising;

[0609] market segmentation;

[0610] understanding user behavior; and

[0611] networking.

[0612] The present invention is advantageous for automated registration,
diagnostic testing and malfunction reporting for electrical appliances.
In an embodiment of the present invention, when wireless communicator 100
is pouched with a new appliance, wireless communicator 100 automatically
collects information about the appliance and its owner, and transmits the
collected information to a remote manufacturer or seller for registering
the appliance.

[0613] Wireless communicator 100 also includes program code for diagnostic
testing of the appliance. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with
the appliance, the program code runs diagnostic maintenance tests on the
appliance. Wireless communicator 100 automatically collects information
about the appliance and its owner, and transmits the collected
information along with a diagnostic report, to the seller or service
provider for the appliance. In turn, if a malfunction is reported, the
seller or service provider contacts the owner about repairing the
appliance. In this way, the seller or service provider is able to
maintain the appliance, and proactively repair appliance malfunctions
before they become severe.

[0614] Reference is now made to FIG. 42, which is a simplified
illustration of a communications network with wireless communicator 100
that wirelessly transmits registration information about appliance 200 to
one or both of a remote manufacturer and a remote seller 300 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When wireless
communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200, wireless communicator 100
automatically registers appliance 200 by transmitting appropriate
information 310 about the appliance, its purchase, and its owner to
remote manufacturer or a seller 300.

[0615] Referring back to FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, storage 115 stores information about the so owner of
appliance 200, and appliance registration program code for registering
appliance 200. Similarly, referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, storage 215
stores information about appliance 200 and its purchase. Such details may
include inter alia a serial number for appliance 200, a model number, a
date of purchase and an identifier for the store where appliance 200 was
purchased.

[0616] Wireless communicator 100 is used to send registration information
about appliance 200 and its owner to one or more of manufacturer and
seller 300.

[0617] When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200,
appliance 200 serves as an enhanced function host device. To register
appliance 200, the appliance registration program code programs wireless
communicator 100 (i) to collect requisite appliance and purchase
information from the appliance storage 215, and owner information from
the wireless communicator storage 115 or SIM 190; and (ii) to forward the
collected information to the seller or to the manufacturer 300, as
appropriate, using modem 120. Contact information for seller or
manufacturer 300 may be available in the appliance storage 215.
Alternatively, contact information for seller or manufacturer 300 may be
entered manually to wireless communicator 100. Yet alternatively, contact
information for seller or manufacturer 300 contact information may be
available in wireless communicator storage 115. Specifically, wireless
communicator 100 may store a list of manufacturers and their appliances,
and looks up the appropriate contact information based on appliance 200.

[0618] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, owner
information does not reside in wireless communicator storage 115 or SIM
190. Instead, wireless communicator 100 obtains the owner information
from an external server.

[0619] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
connection to the seller or manufacturer 300 is initiated by wireless
communicator 100, and transmitted over GPRS (GSM mobile data service).
Wireless communicator 100 creates a file or text message that includes
the relevant registration data, shown as message 310 in FIG. 42. An
example of such file or text message is as follows.

[0620] In another embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 transmits the registration information via an SMS or MMS
message. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 places a voice call to the seller or manufacturer 300
with the information indicated in the text above, using text-to-speech
conversion.

[0621] An alternate embodiment of the present invention, owner information
is not stored in wireless communicator 100. Instead, owner information is
retrieved by the seller and manufacturer 300 after receipt of
registration data sent from wireless communicator 100. Alternatively or
additionally, owner information, together with an optional owner log
history, is stored within appliance 200 itself.

[0622] After wireless communicator 100 has registered appliance 200, a
corresponding flag is set in wireless communicator storage 115 or
appliance memory 215. Thereafter, when wireless communicator 100 is
pouched with appliance 200 it knows not to register appliance 200 a
second time.

[0623] Reference is now made to FIG. 43, which is a simplified
illustration of a communications network with wireless communicator 100
that wirelessly transmits diagnostic information about appliance 200 to
one or more of a remote seller, a remote manufacturer and a remote
service provider 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200,
wireless communicator 100 (i) automatically runs diagnostic tests on
appliance 200, and (ii) automatically prepares diagnostic summary reports
320 for appliance 200 and transmits them to remote seller, manufacturer
or service provider 300 for the appliance.

[0624] Referring back to FIG. 6, in an embodiment of the present invention
the wireless communicator storage 115 stores information about the owner
of wireless communicator 100, and also store application diagnostic
program code for reporting diagnostics of appliance 200, as described
hereinbelow. Similarly, referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the appliance
storage 215 stores information about appliance 200 and its purchase. Such
details may include inter alia a serial number for appliance 200, a model
number, a software/firmware version, a date of purchase and an identifier
for the store where appliance 200 was purchased.

[0625] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
electrical appliance 200 includes sensors for use in diagnostics. A
sensor is a type of transducer which converts a signal into a reading for
the purpose of information transfer. There are direct-indicating sensors
which are human-readable, e.g., a mercury thermometer. Other sensors that
may be embedded in an electrical appliance are sensors that produce an
output voltage or such other electrical output which is interpreted by
another device. Most sensors are electrical or electronic, although other
types exist. Sensors used in diagnostics of appliance 200 in accordance
with the present invention include inter alia thermal sensors,
electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, optical
radiation sensors, ionizing radiation sensors and acoustic sensors.

[0626] Wireless communicator 100 is used to send information about
electrical appliance 200 and its owner to one or more of seller,
manufacturer and service provider 300. The information sent by wireless
communicator 100 includes diagnostic reports for appliance 200.

[0627] When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200,
appliance 200 serves as an enhanced function host device. For maintenance
and repair of appliance 200, the appliance diagnostic program code
programs wireless communicator 100 (i) to run diagnostic tests on
appliance 200; and (ii) to forward the test results to seller, to
manufacturer or service provider 300 for appliance 200, as appropriate,
using modem 120. As above, wireless communicator 100 creates a file or
text message that includes the relevant diagnostic monitoring data, shown
as service report 320 in FIG. 43. An example of such file or text message
is as follows.

[0628] In another embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 transmits the service report using an SMS or MMS
message. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wireless
communicator 100 places a voice call to seller, manufacturer or service
provider 300 with the information indicated in the text above, using
text-to-speech conversion.

[0629] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
diagnostic tests may be scheduled periodically, or initiated manually by
the owner, or initiated remotely via wireless communicator 100.

[0630] Reference is now made to FIG. 44, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for registering electrical appliances using wireless
communicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 1910 a buyer purchases an electronic appliance, which
serves as a host device, such as appliance 200 of FIG. 42. At step 1920
the buyer pouches wireless communicator 100 with the appliance 200. At
step 1930 the wireless communicator pouching controller 110 recognizes
its being pouched to appliance 200.

[0631] At step 1940 pouching controller 110, under program instruction
from code stored on wireless communicator 100, such as the appliance
registration program code, collects appliance information and purchase
information from the appliance storage 215. Such appliance and purchase
information includes inter alia a serial number, a model number, a date
of purchase, and an identifier of a store where the appliance was
purchased. At step 1950 pouching controller 110 collects information
about the owner from wireless communicator storage 115 or SIM 190. At
step 1960 pouching controller 110 collects contact information for the
seller or manufacturer of appliance 200, with whom the appliance is to be
registered. Such contact information may be stored in appliance 200, or
may be manually entered. Finally, at step 1970 wireless communicator 100
opens a connection to the seller or manufacturer, and transmits the
registration information. Wireless communicator 100 may transmit the
registration information as data transmitted over GPRS. Alternatively,
wireless communicator 100 may transmit the information as a voice
transmission by making a phone call to the seller or manufacturer.

[0632] Reference is now made to FIG. 45, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for reporting diagnostics for electrical appliances using
wireless communicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 2010 a consumer inserts wireless communicator 100 into
appliance 200, which serves as an enhanced function host device for
wireless communicator 100. At step 2020 wireless communicator 100
monitors appliance 200 by running diagnostic testing program code that is
stored in the wireless communicator storage. At step 2030 a determination
is made whether a problem has been detected. If not, the method returns
to step 2020 to continue monitoring appliance 200 while wireless
communicator 100 is pouched therewith. Such monitoring may be continuous
monitoring or scheduled periodic monitoring.

[0633] Referring back to step 2030, if a problem is detected, then at step
2040 the wireless communicator pouching controller 110 collects appliance
information that is stored in appliance storage 215.

[0634] Such information includes inter alia an appliance serial number and
a model number. Pouching controller 110 also identifies a malfunction
type corresponding to the detected problem. At step 2050 pouching
controller 110 collects owner data that is stored in wireless
communicator storage 115. At step 2060 pouching controller 110 collects
contact information for the seller, manufacturer or service provider of
appliance 200. At step 2070 wireless communicator 100 contacts the
seller, manufacturer or service provider and transmits an alert
notification regarding the malfunction. Finally, at step 2080 the seller,
manufacturer or service provider contacts the owner of appliance 200
regarding the malfunction.

[0635] The present invention is advantageous for updating software and
firmware. The generated report may include identifiers of versions of
software and firmware for an enhanced function device, in response to
which appropriate updated versions are remotely accessed. In accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator 100
maintains a history log of the various enhanced function devices it was
pouched with. The history log includes the enhanced function devices'
current installed software and firmware versions. In an embodiment of the
present invention, specific settings that were last defined or modified
for the enhanced function devices are kept in a log file. When wireless
communicator 100 reports its history log, appropriate software/firmware
updates are made accessible for wireless communicator 100 to download.
After downloading the updates, when wireless communicator 100 is
subsequently pouched with one of the enhanced function devices in its
history log, the software/firmware in these enhanced function devices is
updated as appropriate. The updated software/firmware may be installed
automatically when wireless communicator 100 is pouched with an enhanced
function device, or may be prompted manually by a user.

[0636] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the settings
for the enhanced function devices are restored on the enhanced function
device from the log file on the wireless coimmunicator when wireless
communicator 100 is subsequently pouched with any of the enhanced
function devices.

[0637] Reference is now made to FIG. 46, which is a simplified flow chart
of a method for provisioning software and firmware updates to a plurality
of jackets and appliances using the wireless communicator in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 2110 wireless
communicator 100 is pouched in a plurality of jackets and appliances over
time. At step 2120 wireless communicator collects information relating to
the plurality of jackets and appliances to over time, the collected
information including versions of installed software/firmware and last
defined or modified settings for the jackets and appliances.

[0638] At step 2130 wireless communicator 100 maintains a history log of
the collected information. At step 2140, wireless communicator 100 is
connected to a PC, and the PC reports the history log to one or more
remote update servers. At step 2150 the remote update servers transmit
new versions of software/firmware to wireless communicator, as
appropriate for the plurality of jackets and appliances. At step 2160,
upon subsequent pouching of wireless communicator 100 to any of the
plurality of jackets and appliances, the updated versions of
software/firmware are installed on the jacket or appliance.

[0639] 10. SD Switch Box in the Wireless Communicator

[0640] Embodiments of the present invention enable the wireless
communicator baseband modem 120 to bypass NOR flash memory when booting
up, enable communication between baseband modem 120 and an enhanced
function host device 200, and enable baseband modem 120 to switch in and
out of sleep mode without loss of state parameters and code image.

[0641] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouching
controller 110 is used to couple enhanced function host device 200 with
the wireless communicator's baseband modem 120 and with the wireless
communicator's storage 115 embodied as NAND flash memory. Pouching
controller 110 serves as an SD switch box, which connects two SD devices,
namely, the baseband modem 120 and enhanced function host device 200, and
enables switching access to SD storage between the two SD devices.

[0642] In an embodiment of the present invention, while pouching
controller 110 operates as an SD switch, it is used for allowing two SD
hosts embedded within the same housing to access the SD storage. Pouching
controller 110 thus enables use of a single storage area accessible by
multiple controllers in the same housing, such as modem 120 and an
optional application processor. Similarly, pouching controller 110
enables use of a single storage area accessible by modem 120 and external
controller 205.

[0646] Reference is now made to FIG. 47, which is a simplified block
diagram of wireless communicator 100 with pouching controller 110 in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Wireless
communicator 100 includes baseband modem 120, pouching controller 110, a
NAND controller 102a, and NAND flash memory 115.

[0651] Reference is now made to FIG. 48, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for booting the wireless communicator's baseband modem 120,
and for performing subsequent operations in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. At step 2210 the baseband modem is booted in
peripheral mode. In general, when a baseband modem is booted in
peripheral mode, the internal ROM code in the modem looks for code that
is input via a peripheral interface, including inter alia a UART or a USB
interface. The base band modem retrieves such code and transfers it to
internal SRAM 163, and then transfers control to SRAM 163.

[0654] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, baseband
modem 120 communicates with enhanced function host device 200 via its
controller 260, using mailboxes implemented in pouching controller 110.
Specifically, pouching controller 110 includes two mailboxes, an outgoing
communicator mailbox 117 that is written to by baseband modem 120 and
read from by enhanced function host device 200, and an incoming
communicator mailbox 118 that is written to by enhanced function host
device 200 and read from by baseband modem 120. Pouching controller 110
initiates an interrupt to enhanced function device pouching controller
210 when modem 120 completes a write operation to mailbox 117. Such
interrupt may be implemented as an SDIO interrupt on an SD bus, or as a
dedicated signal. Similarly, enhanced function device pouching controller
210 initiates an interrupt to baseband modem 120 when enhanced function
host device 200 completes a write operation to mailbox 118.

[0655] It will thus be, appreciated by those skilled in the art that
mailboxes 117 and 118 may be used for direct transfer of data between
baseband modem 120 and enhanced function host device 200. In one
embodiment of the present invention, each mailbox 117 and 118 includes
512 bytes, of which the first two bytes are header bytes that store a
message type, and the remaining bytes store the message itself.

[0656] Mailboxes 117 and 118 may be mapped to an SDIO register map on the
base band modem side and on the enhanced function host device side.
Alternatively, mailboxes 117 and 118 may be mapped to SD memory space. In
such case an arbitration algorithm is used to resolve conflicts when both
enhanced function host device 200 and baseband modem 120 try to access SD
storage at the same time.

[0657] Reference is now made to FIG. 49, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for communicating between enhanced function host device 200
and the wireless communicator's baseband modem 120, and accessing SD
storage 115 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At
step 2310, base band modem 120 requests access to SD storage 115 from
enhanced function host device 200, by writing an access request message
to mailbox 117. At step 2320 pouching controller 110 issues an interrupt
to enhanced function host device 200, to notify enhanced function host
device 200 of the message that was written. At step 2330 enhanced
function host device 200 reads the message from mailbox 117.

[0658] At step 2340 enhanced function host device 200 grants the storage
access request by writing an access granted message to mailbox 118. The
write operation at step 2340 is performed as a multiple block write
operation. Multi-block writes are described in the SD specification, Part
I: Physical Layer, Simplified Specification Version 2.00, Sep. 25, 2006.

[0659] At step 2340, the first block of the multi-block write includes the
grant of access message, and the rest of the blocks are dummy blocks that
are filled with zeros. At step 2350 pouching controller 110 recognizes
the first block of the message as a grant of access, and holds a busy
state on the SD host bus before reading the second block, thereby forcing
the enhanced function device pouching controller 210 to hold and not
access the SD bus.

[0661] Generally there is a timeout of 250 msec for a busy period. As
such, pouching controller 110 ensures that access to SD storage 115 is
shorter than this time.

[0662] Reference is now made to FIG. 50A, which is a simplified diagram
illustrating a process of enabling a baseband modem to access SD storage,
where pouching controller 110 coordinates between the baseband modem and
enhanced function host device in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 50A is arranged as a time line advancing from
left to right. Three types of data flow are illustrated along the time
line; namely, a logical arbitration state, communication between enhanced
function host device 200 and pouching controller 110, and communication
between the wireless communicator's base band modem 120 and pouching
controller 110.

[0663] Logical arbitration involves a protocol for switching access to SD
storage 115 between baseband modem 120 and enhanced function host device
200, which share SD storage 115. As described is hereinabove with respect
to FIG. 49, arbitration operates by means of access requests and access
grants written to mailboxes 117 and 118.

[0665] As shown in FIG. 50A, when the wireless communicator's baseband
modem 120 wants to access SD storage 115, it writes an access request
message to the wireless communicator's outgoing mailbox 117. Thereafter,
pouching controller 110 issues an interrupt to enhanced function host
device 200, informing it that there is a message waiting in mailbox 117.
Enhanced function host device 200 then reads the access request message
in mailbox 117, and writes a multi-block access grant message to the
wireless communicator's incoming mailbox 118. Pouching controller 110
recognizes the first block of the multi-block as an access grant message,
and holds a busy state. Pouching controller 110 issues an interrupt to
baseband modem 120, indicating that access to SD storage 115 is granted.
Baseband modem 120 then accesses SD storage 115 and performs its
requisite operations. Upon completion, baseband modem 120 writes a
release message to pouching controller 110, which then releases the busy
state. In turn, enhanced function host device 200 is then able to write
the second block (dummies) to the wireless communicator's incoming
mailbox 118.

[0666] Reference is now made to FIG. 50B, which is a simplified diagram
illustrating a process of enabling a baseband modem to access SD storage,
where pouching controller 110 coordinates between the baseband modem and
enhanced function host device in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 50B, an access grant write
command is not needed, and the reading of the baseband modem access
request suffices to trigger the busy state for enhanced function host
device 200. Whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 50A a multi-block write by
enhanced function host device 200 is used to generate the busy state, in
the embodiment of FIG. 50B a single-block read suffices to initiate the
busy state.

[0667] Baseband modem 120 may be idle for a long period of time if no call
or data exchange is underway and there is time to wait until a next
signaling session with a cellular network. In such case, base modem 120
may drop to a sleep mode. Moreover, in order to conserve power
consumption in sleep mode, baseband modem 120 may shut off SDRAM power,
which results in losing the code image on SDRAM 166. In order to enable
proper operation, baseband modem 120 maintains state parameters in
internal SRAM 163. Alternatively, or in addition, base band modem 120
backs up state parameters in internal SRAM 163 prior to going to sleep.

[0668] In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 51, which is a
simplified flowchart of a method for a sleep mode in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. At step 2410 baseband modem 120 is
idle for a long period of time. At step 2420 base band modem 120 backs up
state parameters in internal SRAM 163. At step 2430 baseband modem 120
sets the secondary boot code that was loaded to SRAM 163 at step 2240 as
the code to be executed upon resumption of power. At step 2440 baseband
modem 120 sets a timer for resumption of power, halts internal controller
operation, and then disconnects power to external SDRAM 166.

[0669] Reference is now made to FIG. 52, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for resuming operation after a sleep mode in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. At step 2510 the timer that was
set at step 2440 expires. At step 2520 power is resumed. At step 2530
baseband modem 120 begins executing the secondary boot code, based on the
setup defined at step 2430. Finally, at step 2540 the secondary boot code
loads the code image into external SDRAM 166, and transfers control
thereto.

[0670] In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will
realize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied to
the methods and systems described. In particular, components of FIG. 47
that are shown integrated may be separated, and components that are shown
as separated may be integrated. In this regard, reference is now made to
FIG. 53, which is a simplified block diagram of a cellular handset in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 53, an SD NAND controller 102b is
integrated within pouching controller 110. In distinction, SD NAND
controller 102a is external to pouching controller 110 in FIG. 47.

[0672] 11. Power Management of the Wireless Communicator when its Battery
Lapses

[0673] Embodiments of the present invention concern power management of
wireless communicator 100, so as to mitigate the problem of inability to
turn on and use wireless communicator 100 even when wireless communicator
100 is connected to an external power source, by graduating power modes
via an intermediate limited use mode prior to shut down mode.

[0674] More generally, aspects of the present invention concern power
management for a mobile electronic device in order to preserve life of a
battery, or a battery pack, within the device. The mobile device can run
in standalone mode, or in an external power mode. When running in
standalone mode the battery loses charge, and when running in external
power mode the battery is re-charged by the external power source.

[0675] In order to prevent a shutdown of the device, without being able to
turn the device back on, when the charge of the battery drops below a
power-on reset (POR) threshold, a lockout power mode is enabled prior to
the POR threshold being reached. The lockout power mode, referred to as a
"provisional mode" and also as an "emergency mode", enables the mobile
device to be used only for limited actions and only for a pre-specified
period of time. Thus a cellular telephone, for example, in provisional
mode, may be turned on and used only for making emergency calls. This
enables the user of the telephone to turn on the phone and call for help
for a limited time period after his cell phone has shut down. In another
scenario, the cellular telephone in provisional mode may be enabled for
speed dial calls, thus enabling a child to turn on his phone and call his
parents for a limited time period after the child's cell phone has shut
down.

[0676] The present invention monitors the mobile device's battery voltage
and places the mobile device in one of several power mode states,
depending on the battery voltage and depending on whether the mobile
device is running on its internal battery or connected to an external
power source. The transitions between power mode states are controlled so
that a user of the mobile device is able to make limited emergency-type
actions for a limited time period after the mobile device has been shut
down.

[0677] Multiple power modes for the mobile device are managed, including a
fully operation power mode, a non-operational (shut-down) power mode, and
a provisional power mode. The provisional power mode enables the device
to be turned on for limited emergency-type use, for a short period of
time. Transitions between power modes are governed by increases and
decreases in battery voltage, and by the mobile device being connected to
or disconnected from an external power source.

[0678] Reference is now made to FIG. 54, which is a simplified block
diagram of a power management system, for preserving life of battery 145
in wireless communicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Shown in FIG. 54 is wireless communicator 100 and its
baseband modem 120 for transmitting and receiving digital audio signals
via its GSM antenna 140. power amplifier 135 is used to amplify signals
transmitted by antenna 140. Wireless communicator 100 operates under
control of its dedicated controller 105.

[0679] Wireless communicator 100 uses its internal battery 145 for
supplying power. In addition, wireless communicator 100 uses an external
power adapter 146, for connecting wireless communicator 100 to an
external source such as an AC electrical socket, or to an external
device, such as a computer, which is able to supply some of its own power
to wireless communicator 100.

[0680] Wireless communicator 100 may operate in a standalone mode, powered
by battery 145. Alternatively, wireless communicator 100 may operate in
an external power mode, powered by an external source. In accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention, battery 145 is a re-chargeable
lithium ion battery, and generally when wireless communicator 100
operates in external power mode, some of the external power is used to
charge battery 145.

[0681] The voltage on battery 145, denoted by VBat, changes continuously
with time. Without being re-charged, VBat for a lithium ion battery
typically decays according to a known discharge curve. Wireless
communicator's power manager 125 ensures that wireless communicator 100
is shut down when VBat falls below a reset threshold, in order to avoid
damage to battery 145 and to wireless communicator 100.

[0682] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, power
manager 125 includes logic for a lockout mechanism that is functional
when LTOT<VBat<UTOT, for pre-defined lower and upper turn-on
thresholds LTOT and UTOT, respectively, and when wireless communicator
100 is not connected to an external power source. The lockout mechanism
serves to put wireless communicator 100 into a provisional mode, also
referred to as an emergency mode, in which operation of wireless
communicator 100 is limited to one or more emergency functions. Emergency
functions may include inter alia making an emergency phone call, and
making a speed dial phone call.

[0683] In an embodiment of the present invention, LTOT is a threshold
below which wireless communicator 100 cannot be turned on, and UTOT is
slightly higher than LTOT. Sample settings are LTOT 3.2V and UTOT=3.3V.
The provisional mode of the present invention enables wireless
communicator 100 to shut down methodically and in a controlled manner, so
that it can be turned on for emergency calls after being shut down.

[0684] Power manager 125 controls wireless communicator 100 in accordance
with TABLE VIII. As indicated in TABLE VIII, when VBat drops below 2.7V,
referred to as a "power-on reset" (POR) threshold, then power manager 125
shuts down wireless communicator 100 and prevents it from being turned
on. This protects battery 145 from suffering permanent damage. Generally,
when VBat drops below 2.7V, power manager 125 asserts a reset signal. The
reset remains asserted until a safety period after VBat rises above 2.7V.

[0685] When VBat is between 2.7V and 3.2V, then power manager 125 enables
wireless communicator 100 to operate in external power mode, but not in
standalone mode. The threshold of 3.2V is referred to as a "turn-on"
threshold, and also referred to herein as the lower turn-on threshold
(LTOT). When wireless communicator 100 is operating in standalone mode
and VBat falls below 3.2V, then power manager 125 turns wireless
communicator 100 off, and prevents it from being turned back on until
VBat rises above 3.2V.

[0686] When VBat is above 3.2V then power manager 125 enables wireless
communicator 100 to operate in external power mode, and when VBat is
above 3.3V then power manager 125 enables wireless communicator 100 to
also operate in standalone mode. The threshold of 3.3V is referred to
herein, as the upper turn-on threshold (UTOT).

[0687] However, when VBat is between 12V and 3.3V, then power manager 125
limits wireless communicator 100 to operate in provisional mode. In
provisional mode wireless communicator 100 can be turned on for a
pre-defined time period, such as 30 seconds, and can only be used for one
or more emergency functions, such as making an emergency call.

[0688] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, from the nature
of the steep decline at the end of battery discharge curves, that raising
the turn-on threshold for cellular telephone 200 from 2.7V to 3.3V has
negligible impact on usage time. The drop from 13V to 2.7V occurs in a
few minutes.

[0689] It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
parameter values POR=2.7V, LTOT=3.2V and UTOT=3.3V are example values,
and that other values for these parameters are within the scope of the
present invention.

[0690] Reference is now made to FIG. 55, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for preserving life of a battery in wireless communicator 100
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 2605
wireless communicator 100 is turned on At step 2610 the voltage of
wireless communicator's battery 145 is continually monitored. At step
2615 a determination is made whether wireless communicator 100 is
connected to an external power source.

[0691] If wireless communicator 100 is connected to an external power
source, then its internal battery 145 is being charged. At step 2620 a
further determination is made whether the battery voltage is higher than
a lower turn-on threshold, denoted LTOT. If so, then at step 2625
wireless communicator 100 is power controlled so as to be fully
operational. If not, then at step 2630 wireless communicator 100 is power
controlled so as to be able to operate, but cannot be turned on after it
has been turned off.

[0692] Referring back to step 2615, if wireless communicator 100 is not
connected to an external power source, then it is running in standalone
mode and being powered by its internal battery. The charge on its
internal battery is being drained. At step 2635 a determination is made
whether the battery voltage is higher than an upper turn-on threshold,
denoted UTOT. It so, then at step 2640 wireless communicator 100 is power
controlled so as to be fully operational. If not, then at step 2645 a
further determination is made whether the battery voltage is higher than
the lower turn-on threshold, LTOT. If not, then at step 2650 wireless
communicator 100 is power controlled so that it cannot be turned on.

[0693] Referring back to step 2645, if the battery voltage is higher than
LTOT, then at step 2655 wireless communicator 100 is power controlled so
as to turn on to operate only in a limited provisional mode, and only for
a pre-specified short period of time. When operating in provisional mode,
only limited use of wireless communicator 100 is enabled. Generally, use
of wireless communicator 100 is limited to one or more emergency actions.
An emergency action may be making an emergency phone call. An emergency
action may also be making a speed dial call. This would enable a child to
call his parents, for example, if his cell phone battery runs low.

[0694] When wireless communicator 100 is operating in provisional mode,
and a person uses wireless communicator 100 to make a phone call, a
determination is made at step 2660 whether or not the call is an
emergency call. If so, then the call is enabled at step 2665. If not,
wireless communicator 100 is shut down at step 2670.

[0695] The voltage on wireless communicator's battery 145 continually
changes. The battery's charge decreases when wireless communicator 100 is
operating in standalone mode, and the charge increases when wireless
communicator 100 is connected to an external power source. The flowchart
of FIG. 55 continually returns to step 2610 to monitor the voltage and
power manage the telephone accordingly.

[0696] Reference is now made to FIG. 56, which is a simplified state
transition diagram for power modes of wireless communicator 100 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
56, wireless communicator 100 can be in one of four power modes; namely,

[0697] a fully operational power mode 2610, wherein wireless
communicator 100 can be turned on and operates normally;

[0698] a
provisionally operational mode 2620, wherein wireless communicator 100
can be turned on for a pre-specified amount of time, such as 30 sec., and
used for one or more emergency actions;

[0699] a critical mode 2630,
wherein wireless communicator 100 is operational, but cannot be turned on
once it is turned off; and

[0701] State transitions from one power mode to another in FIG. 56 occur
when the battery voltage, VBat, drops below or rises above one of the
thresholds POR, LTOT and UTOT. Voltage drops occur when wireless
communicator 100 is operating in standalone mode, and the charge on
battery 145 is being drained. Voltage rises occur when wireless
communicator 100 is operating in external power mode, and battery 145 is
being charged by an external power source.

[0702] State transitions in FIG. 56 also occur when wireless communicator
100 is connected to or disconnected from an external power source. The
state transitions summarized in FIG. 56 are controlled by power manager
125 and correspond logically to the flowchart of FIG. 55.

[0703] In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will
realize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied to
the methods and systems described. In particular, the power management
system described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 54, and the power
management method described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 55 apply
to a wide variety of other mobile electronic devices, in addition to
wireless communicator 100. Among the actions supported by such devices,
certain actions among them are designated as being emergency actions.
When the devices are placed into provisional power mode (step 2555 of
FIG. 55), only the emergency actions are enabled, and only for a
pre-specified period of time.

[0705] Embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless
communicator 100 and a USB disk drive. The USB disk drive is situated
within an enhanced function jacket, referred to herein as USB jacket 200.
USB jacket 200 includes a keypad, and attaches to wireless communicator
100.

[0706] When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with USB jacket 200, each
device enhances the other. Wireless communicator 100 is enhanced by
having additional storage and USB connectivity, and USB jacket 200 is
enhanced by have wireless communication capability. Wireless communicator
100 may further enhance USB jacket 200 with additional capabilities
including a music player and GPS location based services.

[0707] When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with USB jacket 200, the
jacket's keypad 280 is used to input commands for wireless communicator
100. Such commands for wireless communicator 100 include inter alia
dialing a phone call, playing music, and commands for location based
applications.

[0708] When wireless communicator 100 is not pouched with USB jacket 200,
the jacket's keypad 280 may be used to input commands for the USB disk
drive. Such commands for the USB disk drive include inter alia locking
and unlocking the USB disk drive using a password.

[0709] Reference is now made to FIGS. 57A and 57B, which are illustrations
of wireless communicator 100 pouched with USB jacket 200 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. USB jacket 200 has a storage
and functions as a USB disk drive. USB jacket 200 has a USB connector 255
and, as such, USB jacket 200 is readily plugged into a personal computer,
or such other device having a USB receptacle.

[0710] USB connector 255 is mechanically fastened so that it slides into
USB jacket 200. USB jacket 200 includes a strap 289 which, when pulled,
causes USB connector 255 to slide back out.

[0712] The USB jacket's keyboard 280 has dual functionality. When wireless
communicator 100 is not pouched with USB jacket 200, keyboard 280 is used
to operate USB jacket 200. For example, keyboard 280 may be used to lock
the storage of USB jacket 200 using a password; i.e., the disk drive of
USB jacket 200 may be locked and unlocked by entering a password using
keyboard 280. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with USB jacket
200, then keyboard 280 is used to operate wireless communicator 100.

[0713] Reference is now made to FIG. 58, which is a simplified block
diagram of wireless communicator 100 and USB jacket 200 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 is
shown in FIG. 58 with six primary components; namely, pouching controller
110, storage 115, modem 120, power management subsystem 125, power
amplifier 135 and pouch connector 160. Wireless communicator 100 is shown
with four optional components; namely, audio subsystem 130, keyboard 180,
display 185 and SIM 190.

[0715] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 58, keyboard 280 is connected to
storage controller 205, which interprets the keyboard scan codes. Storage
controller 205 mediates between keyboard 280 and a USB connected device,
such as a personal computer, connected to USB connector 255.

[0716] In general, a USB hub allows many USB devices to be connected to a
single USB port. USB hub 257 is connected via a USB line to modem 120 or
to pouching controller 110 of wireless communicator 100, or to both of
them. USB hub 257 enables a device connected to USB connector 255 to
access both storage 215 and storage 115.

[0717] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 58, access to storage 115 is made
via USB hub 257, without passing through pouching controller 210.

[0719] Reference is now made to FIG. 59, which is a simplified block
diagram of wireless communicator 100 and USB jacket 200, in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention. The USB jacket shown
in FIG. 57 includes pouching controller 210, USB connector 255, pouch
connector 260 and keyboard 280.

[0720] In addition, the USB jacket in FIG. 59 includes a micro-SD card
296, a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch 292, and a USB2SD bridge
293 between USB to SD. The AU6336 SD/MMC card reader controller
manufactured by Alcor Micro, Corp. of Taiwan, may be used for USB2SD
bridge 293. Micro-SD card 296 includes a controller 297 and a storage
298. It is noted that in distinction, the jacket controller and storage
are separate components in the embodiment shown in FIG. 58. SPDT switch
292 is controlled by pouching controller 210, and enables connection of
USB jacket 200 with wireless communicator 100 directly via modem 120 or
via pouching controller 110. A proprietary command over the USB channel,
such as an SCSI transparent method, instructs pouching controller 210 to
changes the state of SPDT 292.

[0721] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that The system
of FIG. 9 enables a USB host device that is connected to USB Jacket 200
via USB interface 255 to directly access storage 298, by translating the
USB protocol into the SD protocol, and routing through pouching
controller 210, or to indirectly access storage 115.

[0722] Pouching controller 210 dynamically routes access to appropriate
storage 115 or 298 to the USB host device. Pouching so controller 210
introduces the USB host device to both storage 115 and 298, as a combined
storage area or as two separate storage areas.

[0723] 13. Modular Audio Player that Pouches with a Host Media Player

[0724] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular audio
player, referred to herein as the "modular player", that may be pouched
with a digital media player, referred to herein as the "host" or the
"host player", such as an MP3 player that may be pouched with an MP3/MP4
player. Both players have memories for storing digital files, and the
host's controller or the modular audio player's controller, or both
controllers, are able to automatically or manually synchronize files
stored in the two memories.

[0725] The host player has its own battery, its own non-volatile memory
for storing media files, and its own controller. The host player
generally includes a display, and includes user interface controls to
organize, select, play and view metadata for songs or video files.

[0726] The modular player may be hosted by the host player when pouched
therewith. The modular player is also a standalone audio player, but with
limited features in comparison to the host player. The modular player
includes its own battery sub-system, its own removable non-volatile
memory for storing digital audio files, and its own controller. The
modular player also includes a wireless modem, including inter alia a
cellular modem, a WLAN modem or a WiMax modem, which enables download of
digital media files from remote sources. The modular player generally
does not have its own display, and generally has a limited user interface
to play a song, to advance to a next song, and to return to the beginning
of a song.

[0727] The modular player is used in circumstances where it is convenient
for a user to handle a small player. When a user is jogging, for example,
it is easier for him to carry a small player.

[0728] The media files played by either player may be obtained via the
host's connection to remote media sources, via physical USB or SD
connection, or via wireless connection. The media files may also be
obtained via the modular player's wireless modem connection. Media files
obtained via the modular player's wireless modem may be transferred to
the host player. As such, the modular player may be used to download
files intended for the host player, such as video files, which generally
cannot be played on the modular player.

[0729] In one embodiment of the present invention the host controller
synchronizes the media files stored on the host player and the modular
player. In another embodiment of the present invention, the modular
player's controller synchronizes the media files stored on the host
player and the modular player. Synchronization of media files is based
primarily on the media formats that each player supports. Generally, the
modular player supports only audio formats, such as MP3 formats, where
the host player supports also video formats, such as MP4 formats. As
such, when the two players interact to synchronize their respective
memories, only files supported by each player are stored in the player.

[0730] Additionally, synchronization is governed by user preferences. For
example, a user may specify that those songs which are most often played
or most recently played, or which have high rankings, are to be shared on
both players.

[0731] Reference is now made to FIGS. 60A and 60B, which are simplified
block diagrams of a modular audio player pouched with a digital media
player in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown
in FIGS. 60A and 60B are a host media player 200c and a modular audio
player 100. Modular audio player 100 can be pouched with host media
player 200c. Modular audio player 100 slides in and out of host media
player 200c along tracks 261c. Host media player 200c and modular audio
player 100 are operative to play songs stored in digital audio files.
Host player 200c is also operative to play video files.

[0732] Host media player 200c includes a player module 230c. Host player
200c also includes a storage unit 215c, which is generally HD or flash
memory, for storing digital media files. Host media player 200c also
includes a battery subsystem 225c for powering player module 230c.

[0733] Modular audio player 100 includes a player module 130. Modular
audio player 130 also includes a storage unit 115, which is generally a
built-in flash memory such as NAND flash or a detachable memory card such
as an SD card, or both, for storing digital audio files.

[0734] Modular audio player 100 is powered by a battery subsystem 125 that
includes a small removable battery. Battery subsystem 125 is charged by
battery subsystem 225c, when modular audio player 100 is pouched with
host player 200c. When modular audio player 100 is not pouched with host
player 200c, it is powered by battery subsystem 125, until the stored
charge in battery subsystem 125 is exhausted. Battery subsystem 125 may
also be charged from an external power source, via a charger, or via a
USB connection.

[0735] Pouch connectors 160 and 260c are used to transfer data and power
between host media player 200c and modular audio player 110.

[0736] Incoming data may be transferred to host media player 200c via an
external connector 255c, such as a USB port or an SD connector, or both.
Host media player 200c may optionally include a wireless modem 220c,
through which data is received from remote sources.

[0737] Modular audio player 100 includes a wireless modem 120c, which is
generally a cellular modem.

[0738] Host player 200c includes pouch controller 210c, and removable
audio player 100 includes pouch controller 110. Controllers 110 and 210
are operative to store incoming digital files on either or both of host
memory 215e and removable player memory 115, automatically or manually as
instructed by a user. Synchronization of files between the host media
player 200c and modular audio player 100 is described hereinbelow with
respect to FIGS. 61 and 62.

[0739] Host media player 200e is large enough to include a display 285c,
for displaying command menus and song metadata to a user, and for
displaying videos. Host media player 200c also includes user interface
controls 270c, for organizing, playing and selecting media files. User
interface controls 270c also enable a user to manage files stored in host
memory 215c and removable player memory 115. User interface controls 270c
enable a user to select to which or both of memories 115 and 215c
incoming files are to be saved. User interface controls 270c also enable
a user to add and delete files from memories 115 and 215c, and to copy
media files from one memory to another.

[0740] As distinct from host media player 200c, modular audio player 100
may not have a display at all, or may have a simple LCD display 185.
Modular audio player 100 includes limited user interface controls 170
including a small keyboard 180. Keyboard 180 enables a user to perform
basic functions, including inter alia playing a song, advancing to a next
song, and returning to the beginning of a song.

[0741] Host media player 200c may or may not be operative to play media
when modular player 100 is not pouched therewith.

[0742] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 60A and 60B is but one of many
possible implementations of the present invention, and that the various
components in FIGS. 60A and 60B may be positioned and inter-connected
differently than the specific configuration illustrated in FIGS. 60A and
60B, within the scope of the present invention.

[0743] Reference is now made to FIG. 61, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for synchronizing media files between host media player 200c
and modular audio player 100, when the media files are received by
modular audio player 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 2805 new media files are downloaded via cellular
wireless modem 120 of modular audio player 100. At step 2810 the files
are stored in a temporary allocated memory of storage 115, and marked as
new files. The new files are classified as being audio files or other
files.

[0744] At step 2815 a determination is made whether or not modular audio
player 100 is currently pouched with host media player 200c. If so, then
at step 2820 a determination is made whether there are more new files to
process. If so, then at step 2825 processing advances to the next new
file. At step 2830 a message is sent to host media player 200c,
indicating that there is a media update. At step 2835 a determination is
made whether the new file currently being processed is an audio file. If
so, then at step 2840 a duplicate copy of the file is written to storage
215c of host media player 200c. Processing then advances to step 2820, to
process the next file. If all of the new files have already been
processed, then the synchronization ends. If the new file currently being
processed is not an audio file, as determined at step 2835, then at step
2845 the file is copied to storage 215c of host media player 200c, and at
step 2850 the new files is erased from storage 115. Processing then
advances to step 2820.

[0745] If modular audio player 100 is not currently pouched with host
media player 200c, as determined at step 2715, then at step 2855 a
determination is made whether there are more new files to process. If so,
then at step 2860 processing advances to the next new file. At step 2865
a determination is made whether the new file currently being processed is
an audio file. If not, then at step 2870 a determination is made,
generally based on user preferences, whether or not to erase the new file
from storage 115 or else to keep the new file in storage 115 until
modular player 100 is subsequently attached to host player 200c. If so,
then at step 2875 the new file is erased. Otherwise, at step 2880 no
operation is required. Processing then advances to step 2855, to process
the next file. If the new file currently being processed is an audio
file, as determined at step 2865, then at step 2880 no operation is
required. When modular audio player 100 is subsequently attached to host
media player 200c, the new audio files in storage 115 may be transferred
to host storage 215c. Processing then advances to step 2855.

[0746] Reference is now made to FIG. 62, which is a simplified flowchart
of a method for synchronizing media files between host media player 200c
and modular audio player 100, when the media files are received by host
player 200c in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At
step 2905 new media files are received by host media player 200c, via
wireless modem 220c or external connector 255c. At step 2910 the files
are stored in host memory 215c and marked as new files. The new files are
classified as being audio files or other files.

[0747] At step 2915 a determination is made whether modular audio player
100 is currently pouched with host media player 200c. If so, then at step
2920 a determination is made whether there are more new media files to
process. If so, processing advances to the next new media file at step
2925. At step 2930 a determination is made whether the new media file
currently being processed is an audio file. If so, then at step 2935 the
new file is copied to storage 115. Processing then advances to step 2920,
to process the next new file. If all of the new files have been
processed, then the synchronization ends. If the new file currently being
processed is not an audio file, as determined at step 2930, then
processing advances directly to step 2920.

[0748] If modular audio player 100 is not currently pouched with host
media player 200c, as determined at step 2915, then at step 2940 no
operation is required, and the new files may be transferred to modular
audio player 100 when it is subsequently pouched with host media player
200c. The synchronization then ends.

[0749] Reference is now made to FIG. 63, which is a simplified flowchart
of operations carried out when modular audio player 100 is pouched with
host media player 200c in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. At step 3005 modular audio player 100 is pouched with host
media player 200c. When the two players are pouched, host player 200c
receives a corresponding interrupt, and is thus informed of the pouching
at step 3010. Such interrupt may be implemented as an SDIO interrupt on
the SD bus, or via a dedicated signal.

[0750] At step 3020, memories 115 and 215c are searched and a
determination is made whether there are new media files in one or both of
the memories. If so, then the host player are modular player are
synchronized in accordance with FIGS. 61 and 62. Specifically, steps
2820-2850 are performed to copy new files from memory 115 to memory 215c,
and steps 2920-2935 are performed to copy new files from memory 215c to
memory 115.

[0751] Processing then proceeds to step 3025, whereat the players are
synchronized according to predefined user preferences. User preferences
may indicate, for example, that all audio files are synchronized, subject
to memory availability; or that audio files most often or more frequently
listened to are synchronized, subject to memory availability; or that
audio files with high user ratings are synchronized, subject to memory
availability.

[0752] If there are no new media files in memories 115 and 215c, as
determined at step 3020, the processing proceeds directly to step 3025.
After step 3025, the synchronization ends.

[0753] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described
with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to
the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.